We have such fear of our emotional body but it's just a feeling. Really. It's doesn't mean anything UNLESS we let our mind assign meaning and that's what the intellect does. It wants to explain everything. Sometimes a feeling is just a feeling.
I have been drinking really dark green juice every day for a week now. Two big glasses a day. Yesterday I stood in the shower and felt deep sadness, grief really. I just let it wash over me and down the drain. I almost wanted to cry. I found it interesting, and just noticed it welling up and washing down. I didn't engage, nor did I block it.
Then I found that when I went to pick my clothes for the day, the only things that attracted me were all black. Yes, I felt like I was in mourning! I noticed it, and then made myself choose a color instead, in this case soft peach. I felt fake in the peach on the outside when the inside felt so black, but I just noticed it and went on.
I couldn't smile without conscious effort. It did abate during the day, but it was a pervasive sort of sadness by the afternoon instead of grief. By the evening the feeling was gone and I could mention it in a past tense. "Wow, this morning I felt so sad when I got up, but now it's gone."
That was all.
I resisted the trap of "I wonder why?" which would have engaged the mind's energy fruitlessly in a search for meaning.
Remember when you are detoxing and juicing, particularly greens, you are going to release OLD stuff, OLD feelings, just as the intestines will release left over food toxins. It's important not to assign meaning, or try and explain it. It's just stuff. If you were sloughing off intestinal stuff you wouldn't analyze it for when you ate it. (or would you??? Let it go! ) It is just old stuff that got stuck inside and you are clearing it out! Good bye gunk.
Past is past, and now is now. The mind mixes that up if we let it. Don't let your mind over analyze your feelings when you are detoxing.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Endocrine Disrupter info
Why You Can't Lose Those Last 10 Pounds
Last 10 pounds! - I would love to get 10 pounds off! C.A.
by The Staff at wowOwow.com, on Wed Jul 7, 2010 7:24am PDT
53 CommentsPost a CommentRead More from This Author »Report Abuse
by: Stephen Perrine and Heather Hurlock
On May 11, the White House announced it was targeting a new threat to America’s health and security. It wasn’t some rogue nation or terrorist organization, or a newfound disease or environmental threat. It was a class of chemicals that are making Americans fat. They’re called endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs. And chances are you’re eating or drinking them right now.
The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity released a report called "Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation." In the report they list endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a possible reason for increased obesity in the country and describe how scientists have coined a new term for these chemicals — "obesogens" — because they "may promote weight gain and obesity."
What does this mean for you? It means that weight gain is not just about calories-in versus calories-out.
No, America’s obesity crisis can’t entirely be blamed on too much fast food and too little exercise. We have to consider a third factor: the obesogens. They’re natural and synthetic compounds, and many of these chemicals work by mimicking estrogen — the very hormone that doctors DON’T want women taking anymore (as a large clinical trial linked hormone therapy to increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, blood clots and abnormal mammograms).
Why traditional diets don’t work anymore
Because high school biology was likely a while back, here’s a quick refresher: The endocrine system is made up of all the glands and cells that produce the hormones that regulate our bodies. Growth and development, sexual function, reproductive processes, mood, sleep, hunger, stress, metabolism and the way our bodies use food — it’s all controlled by hormones. So whether you’re tall or short, lean or heavy — that’s all determined in a big way by your endocrine system.
But your endocrine system is a finely tuned instrument that can easily be thrown off-kilter. "Obesogens are thought to act by hijacking the regulatory systems that control body weight," says Frederick vom Saal, Ph.D., curators’ professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri. That’s why endocrine disruptors are so good at making us fat — and that’s why diet advice doesn’t always work — because even strictly following the smartest traditional advice won’t lower your obesogen exposure. See, an apple a day may have kept the doctor away 250 years ago when Benjamin Franklin included the phrase in his almanac. But if that apple comes loaded with obesity-promoting chemicals — nine of the ten most commonly used pesticides are obesogens, and apples are one of the most pesticide-laden foods out there — then Ben’s advice is way out of date.
The obesogen effect is the reason why traditional diet advice — choose chicken over beef, eat more fish, load up on fruits and vegetables — may not work anymore. This is why we’re calling for a New American Diet.
See, while digging up all of this research on obesogens we’ve discovered some good news: There’s no reason why all of our favorite foods — from steak to burgers, from pasta to ice cream — can’t be part of a reasonable weight-loss program. We just need to get rid of old thinking. We can reverse the obesogen effect if we simply adopt these four simple laws of leanness:
Leanness Law No. 1: Know When to Go Organic
The average American is exposed to 10 to 13 different pesticides through food, beverages and drinking water every day and nine of the ten most common pesticides are EDCs. But according to a recent study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, eating an organic diet for just five days can reduce circulating pesticide EDCs to non-detectable or near non-detectable levels.
Of course, organic foods can be expensive. But not all organics are created equal—many foods have such low levels of pesticides that buying organic just isn’t worth it. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) calculated that you can reduce your pesticide exposure nearly 80 percent simply by choosing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables shown in their tests to contain the highest levels of pesticides. They call them "The Dirty Dozen," and (starting with the worst) they are celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries (domestic), nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale/collard greens, cherries, potatoes and grapes (imported). And you can feel good about buying the following 15 conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that the EWG dubbed "The Clean Fifteen," because they were shown to have little pesticide residue: onions, avocado, sweet corn (frozen), pineapples, mango, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, kiwi fruit, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and honeydew melon.
Leanness Law No. 2: Don’t Eat Plastic
This ought to be a no-brainer. Indeed, you’re probably already thinking, Well, I don’t generally eat plastic. Ah, but you do. Chances are that you’re among the 93 percent of Americans with detectable levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) in their bodies, and that you’re also among the 75 percent of Americans with detectable levels of phthalates. Both are synthetic chemicals found in plastics that mimic estrogen — essentially, artificial female hormones. And like pesticides, these plastic-based chemicals trick our bodies into storing fat and not building or retaining muscle. Decreasing your exposure to plastic-based obesogens will maximize your chances both of losing unwanted flab and of building lean muscle mass. Here’s how: 1) Never heat food in plastic containers or put plastic items in the dishwasher, which can damage them and increase leaching. BPA leaches from polycarbonate sports bottles 55 times faster when exposed to boiling liquids as opposed to cold ones, according to a study in the journal Toxicology Letters. 2) Avoid buying fatty foods like meats that are packaged in plastic wrap because EDCs are stored in fatty tissue. The plastic wrap used at the supermarket is mostly PVC, whereas the plastic wrap you buy to wrap things at home is increasingly made from polyethylene. 3) Cut down on canned goods by choosing tuna in a pouch over canned tuna. And get any canned and jarred foods from Eden Organic, one of the only companies that doesn’t have BPA in its cans.
Leanness Law No. 3: Go Lean
Always choose pasture-raised meats, which, studies show, have less fat than their confined, grain-fed counterparts and none of the weight-promoting hormones. Plus, grass-fed beef contains 60 percent more omega-3s, 200 percent more vitamin E and two to three times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, a near-magic nutrient that helps ward off heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and can help you lose weight, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) than conventional beef. If you must choose a conventional cut of beef, choose lean cuts top sirloin, 95 percent lean ground beef, bottom round roast, eye round roast, top round roast or sirloin tip steak. Bison burgers and veggie burgers are also great substitutes when grass-fed beef isn’t available. And select sustainable lean fish with low toxic loads (meaning low levels of toxins like mercury and PCBs). A study in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that even though the pesticide DDT was banned in 1973, the chemical and its breakdown product DDE can still be found today in fatty fish. Bigger fish eat smaller fish, and so carry a much higher toxic load.
Avoid ahi or bigeye tuna, tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel, marlin and orange roughy — and focus on smaller fish like anchovies, Atlantic herring and mackerel, and wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Choose farmed rainbow trout, farmed mussels, anchovies, scallops (bay, farmed), Pacific cod, Pacific Halibut, Tuna (canned light) and mahimahi. Also, when you cook the fish, broil, poach, grill, boil or bake instead of pan-frying — this will allow contaminants from the fatty portions of fish to drain out.
Leanness Law No. 4: Filter Your Water
The best way to eliminate EDCs from your tap water is an activated carbon water filter. Available for faucets and pitchers, and as under-the-sink units, these filters remove most pesticides and industrial pollutants. Check the label to make sure the filter meets the NSF/American National Standards Institute’s standard 53, indicating that it treats water for both health and aesthetic concerns. Try The Brita Aqualux ($28, brita.com), Pur Horizontal faucet filter ($49, purwaterfilter.com) and Kenmore’s under-sink system ($60, kenmore.com). However, if you have perchlorate (a component of rocket fuel!) in your water (you can find out by asking your municipal water supplier for a copy of its most recent water-quality report) you’ll need a reverse osmosis filter. But for every five gallons of treated water they create per day, they discharge 40 to 90 gallons of wastewater, so make sure it’s necessary before purchasing one.
Last 10 pounds! - I would love to get 10 pounds off! C.A.
by The Staff at wowOwow.com, on Wed Jul 7, 2010 7:24am PDT
53 CommentsPost a CommentRead More from This Author »Report Abuse
by: Stephen Perrine and Heather Hurlock
On May 11, the White House announced it was targeting a new threat to America’s health and security. It wasn’t some rogue nation or terrorist organization, or a newfound disease or environmental threat. It was a class of chemicals that are making Americans fat. They’re called endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs. And chances are you’re eating or drinking them right now.
The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity released a report called "Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation." In the report they list endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a possible reason for increased obesity in the country and describe how scientists have coined a new term for these chemicals — "obesogens" — because they "may promote weight gain and obesity."
What does this mean for you? It means that weight gain is not just about calories-in versus calories-out.
No, America’s obesity crisis can’t entirely be blamed on too much fast food and too little exercise. We have to consider a third factor: the obesogens. They’re natural and synthetic compounds, and many of these chemicals work by mimicking estrogen — the very hormone that doctors DON’T want women taking anymore (as a large clinical trial linked hormone therapy to increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, blood clots and abnormal mammograms).
Why traditional diets don’t work anymore
Because high school biology was likely a while back, here’s a quick refresher: The endocrine system is made up of all the glands and cells that produce the hormones that regulate our bodies. Growth and development, sexual function, reproductive processes, mood, sleep, hunger, stress, metabolism and the way our bodies use food — it’s all controlled by hormones. So whether you’re tall or short, lean or heavy — that’s all determined in a big way by your endocrine system.
But your endocrine system is a finely tuned instrument that can easily be thrown off-kilter. "Obesogens are thought to act by hijacking the regulatory systems that control body weight," says Frederick vom Saal, Ph.D., curators’ professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri. That’s why endocrine disruptors are so good at making us fat — and that’s why diet advice doesn’t always work — because even strictly following the smartest traditional advice won’t lower your obesogen exposure. See, an apple a day may have kept the doctor away 250 years ago when Benjamin Franklin included the phrase in his almanac. But if that apple comes loaded with obesity-promoting chemicals — nine of the ten most commonly used pesticides are obesogens, and apples are one of the most pesticide-laden foods out there — then Ben’s advice is way out of date.
The obesogen effect is the reason why traditional diet advice — choose chicken over beef, eat more fish, load up on fruits and vegetables — may not work anymore. This is why we’re calling for a New American Diet.
See, while digging up all of this research on obesogens we’ve discovered some good news: There’s no reason why all of our favorite foods — from steak to burgers, from pasta to ice cream — can’t be part of a reasonable weight-loss program. We just need to get rid of old thinking. We can reverse the obesogen effect if we simply adopt these four simple laws of leanness:
Leanness Law No. 1: Know When to Go Organic
The average American is exposed to 10 to 13 different pesticides through food, beverages and drinking water every day and nine of the ten most common pesticides are EDCs. But according to a recent study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, eating an organic diet for just five days can reduce circulating pesticide EDCs to non-detectable or near non-detectable levels.
Of course, organic foods can be expensive. But not all organics are created equal—many foods have such low levels of pesticides that buying organic just isn’t worth it. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) calculated that you can reduce your pesticide exposure nearly 80 percent simply by choosing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables shown in their tests to contain the highest levels of pesticides. They call them "The Dirty Dozen," and (starting with the worst) they are celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries (domestic), nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale/collard greens, cherries, potatoes and grapes (imported). And you can feel good about buying the following 15 conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that the EWG dubbed "The Clean Fifteen," because they were shown to have little pesticide residue: onions, avocado, sweet corn (frozen), pineapples, mango, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, kiwi fruit, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and honeydew melon.
Leanness Law No. 2: Don’t Eat Plastic
This ought to be a no-brainer. Indeed, you’re probably already thinking, Well, I don’t generally eat plastic. Ah, but you do. Chances are that you’re among the 93 percent of Americans with detectable levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) in their bodies, and that you’re also among the 75 percent of Americans with detectable levels of phthalates. Both are synthetic chemicals found in plastics that mimic estrogen — essentially, artificial female hormones. And like pesticides, these plastic-based chemicals trick our bodies into storing fat and not building or retaining muscle. Decreasing your exposure to plastic-based obesogens will maximize your chances both of losing unwanted flab and of building lean muscle mass. Here’s how: 1) Never heat food in plastic containers or put plastic items in the dishwasher, which can damage them and increase leaching. BPA leaches from polycarbonate sports bottles 55 times faster when exposed to boiling liquids as opposed to cold ones, according to a study in the journal Toxicology Letters. 2) Avoid buying fatty foods like meats that are packaged in plastic wrap because EDCs are stored in fatty tissue. The plastic wrap used at the supermarket is mostly PVC, whereas the plastic wrap you buy to wrap things at home is increasingly made from polyethylene. 3) Cut down on canned goods by choosing tuna in a pouch over canned tuna. And get any canned and jarred foods from Eden Organic, one of the only companies that doesn’t have BPA in its cans.
Leanness Law No. 3: Go Lean
Always choose pasture-raised meats, which, studies show, have less fat than their confined, grain-fed counterparts and none of the weight-promoting hormones. Plus, grass-fed beef contains 60 percent more omega-3s, 200 percent more vitamin E and two to three times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, a near-magic nutrient that helps ward off heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and can help you lose weight, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) than conventional beef. If you must choose a conventional cut of beef, choose lean cuts top sirloin, 95 percent lean ground beef, bottom round roast, eye round roast, top round roast or sirloin tip steak. Bison burgers and veggie burgers are also great substitutes when grass-fed beef isn’t available. And select sustainable lean fish with low toxic loads (meaning low levels of toxins like mercury and PCBs). A study in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that even though the pesticide DDT was banned in 1973, the chemical and its breakdown product DDE can still be found today in fatty fish. Bigger fish eat smaller fish, and so carry a much higher toxic load.
Avoid ahi or bigeye tuna, tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel, marlin and orange roughy — and focus on smaller fish like anchovies, Atlantic herring and mackerel, and wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Choose farmed rainbow trout, farmed mussels, anchovies, scallops (bay, farmed), Pacific cod, Pacific Halibut, Tuna (canned light) and mahimahi. Also, when you cook the fish, broil, poach, grill, boil or bake instead of pan-frying — this will allow contaminants from the fatty portions of fish to drain out.
Leanness Law No. 4: Filter Your Water
The best way to eliminate EDCs from your tap water is an activated carbon water filter. Available for faucets and pitchers, and as under-the-sink units, these filters remove most pesticides and industrial pollutants. Check the label to make sure the filter meets the NSF/American National Standards Institute’s standard 53, indicating that it treats water for both health and aesthetic concerns. Try The Brita Aqualux ($28, brita.com), Pur Horizontal faucet filter ($49, purwaterfilter.com) and Kenmore’s under-sink system ($60, kenmore.com). However, if you have perchlorate (a component of rocket fuel!) in your water (you can find out by asking your municipal water supplier for a copy of its most recent water-quality report) you’ll need a reverse osmosis filter. But for every five gallons of treated water they create per day, they discharge 40 to 90 gallons of wastewater, so make sure it’s necessary before purchasing one.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Remember Simplicity
It's a beautiful cool mountain morning. The air is crisp still and breezy.
I have made my breakfast:: half an avocado that has been drenched in lemon juice and sprinkled with cayenne pepper. I have a glass of hot water and the juice of half a lemon. I have a pile of grapefruit pieces that have also been sprinkled with cayenne pepper. I like to peel the grapefruit and eat it like an orange.
One of the best things for me in switching to raw-ish living was easing up on the way I thought about food, cooking, eating, preparing. I eased up on the way I judged myself. I stopped worrying. The Hawaiians have a term "no worries". Try it.
I look at my plate this morning, fresh, raw and vibrantly alive and think "so am I!"
We are what we eat, just like we are what we think, we are what we do, we are what we express. We are a continual expression in and out of life, and as we exhale we say yes, and as we inhale we say thank you. That's it.
If you can keep it that simple what else is there but 'no worries'? Yes, thank you. Smile.
Colors are brighter, life is cleaner. Slow down, breathe, say thank you and say yes to life. Taste it again. It's pretty good! And it doesn't need fancy sauces, or fancy preparations.
Chop with a sharp knife, tear it apart with your fingers and lick the juice, get into it again, both your food, and your life! Be well and remember "no worries".
I have made my breakfast:: half an avocado that has been drenched in lemon juice and sprinkled with cayenne pepper. I have a glass of hot water and the juice of half a lemon. I have a pile of grapefruit pieces that have also been sprinkled with cayenne pepper. I like to peel the grapefruit and eat it like an orange.
One of the best things for me in switching to raw-ish living was easing up on the way I thought about food, cooking, eating, preparing. I eased up on the way I judged myself. I stopped worrying. The Hawaiians have a term "no worries". Try it.
I look at my plate this morning, fresh, raw and vibrantly alive and think "so am I!"
We are what we eat, just like we are what we think, we are what we do, we are what we express. We are a continual expression in and out of life, and as we exhale we say yes, and as we inhale we say thank you. That's it.
If you can keep it that simple what else is there but 'no worries'? Yes, thank you. Smile.
Colors are brighter, life is cleaner. Slow down, breathe, say thank you and say yes to life. Taste it again. It's pretty good! And it doesn't need fancy sauces, or fancy preparations.
Chop with a sharp knife, tear it apart with your fingers and lick the juice, get into it again, both your food, and your life! Be well and remember "no worries".
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sweetner: Lucuma Powder
I haven't tried the lucuma powder yet, but I think I will.
Lucuma Powder –
Try "The Gold of the Incas"!!
This is one of the BEST low-glycemic sweeteners we use...
Lucuma Powder (pronounced Loo- Ku- Mah) is a raw, gourmet, organic, low-glycemic sweetener that creates a rich and creamy texture and imparts a subtle maple flavor. A sign of truly raw Lucuma is its brilliant bright yellow color. (Unfortunately not all Lucuma Powder is so radiant in color and nutrients.)
Lucuma is an exotic Peruvian fruit once known as the "Gold of the Incas." The round or ovaloid fruits are green, with a bright yellow flesh that is often fibrous. It has been honored spiritually and culinarily since ancient times. Within the Peruvian culture, lucuma is often part of celebrations and banquet settings because of its distinct and fragrant flavor. Although it grows in other tropical regions, fruits grown in the Peruvian highlands are considered to be of superior flavor, and are culturally revered.
The Peruvians savor the taste of it in ice cream, as it is one of their most popular flavors. We love to use it in raw ice creams. And we are so inspired by the rich, low-glycemic flavor of Lucuma we have created a new flavor of our popular Coconut Créme - Lucuma-Vanilla.
Power of Lucuma:
Lucuma is low in acid, low in sugar and contains an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, especially B3, and minerals. It is especially abundant in beta-carotene, niacin and iron with significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Suggested Uses:
Use Lucuma Powder in place of agave nectar (which is a highly processed sweetener)
Substitute for maple, butterscotch, or toffee flavors in your favorite desserts.
Mix into tea for a creamy texture and sweet, rich flavor.
Sprinkle on top of your favorite granola.
Also try our Lucuma-Vanilla Coconut Creme!!
Lucuma Powder –
Try "The Gold of the Incas"!!
This is one of the BEST low-glycemic sweeteners we use...
Lucuma Powder (pronounced Loo- Ku- Mah) is a raw, gourmet, organic, low-glycemic sweetener that creates a rich and creamy texture and imparts a subtle maple flavor. A sign of truly raw Lucuma is its brilliant bright yellow color. (Unfortunately not all Lucuma Powder is so radiant in color and nutrients.)
Lucuma is an exotic Peruvian fruit once known as the "Gold of the Incas." The round or ovaloid fruits are green, with a bright yellow flesh that is often fibrous. It has been honored spiritually and culinarily since ancient times. Within the Peruvian culture, lucuma is often part of celebrations and banquet settings because of its distinct and fragrant flavor. Although it grows in other tropical regions, fruits grown in the Peruvian highlands are considered to be of superior flavor, and are culturally revered.
The Peruvians savor the taste of it in ice cream, as it is one of their most popular flavors. We love to use it in raw ice creams. And we are so inspired by the rich, low-glycemic flavor of Lucuma we have created a new flavor of our popular Coconut Créme - Lucuma-Vanilla.
Power of Lucuma:
Lucuma is low in acid, low in sugar and contains an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, especially B3, and minerals. It is especially abundant in beta-carotene, niacin and iron with significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Suggested Uses:
Use Lucuma Powder in place of agave nectar (which is a highly processed sweetener)
Substitute for maple, butterscotch, or toffee flavors in your favorite desserts.
Mix into tea for a creamy texture and sweet, rich flavor.
Sprinkle on top of your favorite granola.
Also try our Lucuma-Vanilla Coconut Creme!!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Alkaline Food Chart
Here is a link http://www.tao-garden.com/5elements/Taoist5ElementsNutrition.ABC.html to an amazingly informative chart for those of us that have been wondering about how to raise our alkaline, and it correlates to blood type and to the five elements. It may be more information than some of you want, but on the other hand it's all in one place and you can refer to it as needed.
Of course, when I go to Chipotles, I get the black beans-and right off the bat I see they are the acidic ones!:)
Of course, when I go to Chipotles, I get the black beans-and right off the bat I see they are the acidic ones!:)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Other People's Rules for Me
I've never really been very good at following other people's rules for me.
Well, let me take that back.
I'm very good at following rules. I was trained to. I have really had to work hard to let myself break rules and experiment.
But where I have trouble is when there are rules and other people tell me I can't break them, but they do.
THAT gets to me.
I think that goes back to kindergarden. It's not fair! How come you get to tell me when I break the rule, but it's ok for you to break the rule and I can't tell you?
Here's a recent example. I got some homeopathic HCG in a spray. It's supposed to reset your hypothalamus so you burn fat. It comes in shots or drops, or in this case, a homeopathic spray. There were 3 of us that were going to do it together. One of the women IS a homeopath-she lasted 3 days.
Rules were eat alot for the first two days, load up 4000 calories a day, then 500 calories a day for the next 26 days. Spray every day, including the load days.
No sugar, limited fat. 1 small apple a day, and no other fruit.
Smack the bottle against the base of your hand 2x before spraying. That's called sucussing.
Spray 2x a day, am and pm.
So, I am having trouble with the loading, I can't eat that much, because of the surgery, but they are both eating cookies and ice cream and stuff. I say "hey I thought it was no sugar?"
Oh no. You can have sugar. I look down at my notes that say no sugar. Really? Maybe I took the notes wrong?
Then I go to spray and I forget the 2x to sucuss and I hit it 10x which is what we do with the flower essences. It's automatic. One of the women is aghast and says 'what are you DOING?! You can't do that!" I say why not? She launches in to why it has to be just 2x. It makes it stronger the more you sucuss it. I'm thinking that's a good thing but ok. No shaking the bottle more than 2x and put it in the list of rules to not be broken. I did that wrong.
Then I see her pulling out her spray throughout the day, not sucussing at all and spraying 4, 5x and more...more than twice a day like the rules say. I say "hey, I thought it was only 2x a day, and only 2 sprays?"
She says, "oh I'm spraying every time I get hungry." and she sprays again to show me.
I say "it doesn't work that way, It isn't going to make you less hungry." She shrugs and sprays again.
In the morning I see her eating grapefruit. I say "I thought we could only have an apple?" She says "I decided I can have grapefruit to help me with the hunger. I read it on the internet somewhere."
Ok so how come she can make up her own rules and I can't? I petulantly stopped and started this morning now that I am home and no one is telling me what I can't do.
For the record-neither lasted the 26 days, but she did last 10 daysdidn't have that much to lose, but she said she was starving all the time-hence all the spraying. I think she might have lost 8 pounds at 500 calories anyway but I am going to give it a shot.
With my own rules, one being that I am spraying as much as I want and two, I am shaking the bottle 10x. And 3, I may or may not adhere to 500 calories. I am going to add the spray and eat what I normally do-which happens to be about 800 to 1200 calories. And I bought grapefruit-just in case. I want my hypothalamus to get the message to burn. I don't care how much I lose really as long as I start to burn. I'm going to do raw pretty much and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted.
Well, let me take that back.
I'm very good at following rules. I was trained to. I have really had to work hard to let myself break rules and experiment.
But where I have trouble is when there are rules and other people tell me I can't break them, but they do.
THAT gets to me.
I think that goes back to kindergarden. It's not fair! How come you get to tell me when I break the rule, but it's ok for you to break the rule and I can't tell you?
Here's a recent example. I got some homeopathic HCG in a spray. It's supposed to reset your hypothalamus so you burn fat. It comes in shots or drops, or in this case, a homeopathic spray. There were 3 of us that were going to do it together. One of the women IS a homeopath-she lasted 3 days.
Rules were eat alot for the first two days, load up 4000 calories a day, then 500 calories a day for the next 26 days. Spray every day, including the load days.
No sugar, limited fat. 1 small apple a day, and no other fruit.
Smack the bottle against the base of your hand 2x before spraying. That's called sucussing.
Spray 2x a day, am and pm.
So, I am having trouble with the loading, I can't eat that much, because of the surgery, but they are both eating cookies and ice cream and stuff. I say "hey I thought it was no sugar?"
Oh no. You can have sugar. I look down at my notes that say no sugar. Really? Maybe I took the notes wrong?
Then I go to spray and I forget the 2x to sucuss and I hit it 10x which is what we do with the flower essences. It's automatic. One of the women is aghast and says 'what are you DOING?! You can't do that!" I say why not? She launches in to why it has to be just 2x. It makes it stronger the more you sucuss it. I'm thinking that's a good thing but ok. No shaking the bottle more than 2x and put it in the list of rules to not be broken. I did that wrong.
Then I see her pulling out her spray throughout the day, not sucussing at all and spraying 4, 5x and more...more than twice a day like the rules say. I say "hey, I thought it was only 2x a day, and only 2 sprays?"
She says, "oh I'm spraying every time I get hungry." and she sprays again to show me.
I say "it doesn't work that way, It isn't going to make you less hungry." She shrugs and sprays again.
In the morning I see her eating grapefruit. I say "I thought we could only have an apple?" She says "I decided I can have grapefruit to help me with the hunger. I read it on the internet somewhere."
Ok so how come she can make up her own rules and I can't? I petulantly stopped and started this morning now that I am home and no one is telling me what I can't do.
For the record-neither lasted the 26 days, but she did last 10 daysdidn't have that much to lose, but she said she was starving all the time-hence all the spraying. I think she might have lost 8 pounds at 500 calories anyway but I am going to give it a shot.
With my own rules, one being that I am spraying as much as I want and two, I am shaking the bottle 10x. And 3, I may or may not adhere to 500 calories. I am going to add the spray and eat what I normally do-which happens to be about 800 to 1200 calories. And I bought grapefruit-just in case. I want my hypothalamus to get the message to burn. I don't care how much I lose really as long as I start to burn. I'm going to do raw pretty much and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted.
Trusting Ourselves with Food AGAIN
Why is it so hard to just trust that if we eat natural, organic and whole foods, that our body CAN do what it is designed to?
Why do we seem to have a basic distrust of ourselves?
I hate to point a finger at mom, but I think as a generation we were raised to be (and our parents too)
on a schedule
obedient
and to ignore and override our natural inclinations, likes and dislikes
We were supposed to poop and pee on demand and not pay attention to need. (the idea of sitting on the toilet for hours waiting? You don't know when you have to poop? But you know, many don't. And if they haven't gone first thing in the morning, they stay home and pace until it happens. Their day is ruined. SO much angst around poops...gotta be the original training imprints!)
We were supposed to eat on schedule and whatever was in front of us and not pay attention to our own wants, likes or desires, and eat it ALL.
We were supposed to sleep on a schedule and not recognize when we are tired or overdone. And every night the same with no variety.
We aren't supposed to ever get sick, need to slow down, or listen to ourselves, and if we do something is seriously wrong. Hey, a cold MEANS you are detoxing. It is a sign of overdone and sometimes it's the only way your body CAN get you to stop)
So is it no wonder that we, as a generation and a nation, are still turning to other people to be the experts of us?
Do you LIKE the green super foods? If you LIKE THEM, and they LIKE YOU your body will let you know.
IF you LIKE, oh, chia seeds for instance, or hemp or sunflower seeds, and they LIKE YOU, then eat them, add them to your food and enjoy,not because they are the new superfood, but because you LIKE THEM. And it agrees with you.
RAW food was and is an effort to get back to nature, back to basics, back to food that isn't over chemicaled and over processed. It was an attempt to simplify, and the posts from other blogs while good information, never seem to say if they LIKE IT. Just what we should be doing and arguing about who has the best super food. I agree, adding them ALL is overkill. And I don't like gogi berries either much, and I don't like INKA berries at all. Ew. I tried them, and regardless of how good they are for me, I don't eat them. But it's good information, and it's worth trying for yourself. Remember when we all tried maca?!
In doing RAWish I discovered the tastes and smells and textures and joy of food again. We can go over intellectual with Raw, and we will miss the benefit. Eating should be a connection to your emotional body. It should satisfy us all the way through. Our body isn't a machine with food being the fuel. If that's what you think you are missing the vital component!
RAWish satisfies me emotionally and nurtures me. It makes me feel good. I feel listened to and I feel full on many levels. I like the cutting and the tasting, the mixing and the smells. It has become a whole process again of feeding myself inside.
I had gotten to a place where I hated to cook. I was overwhelmed with all the no-lists and all the suggested things I was supposed to be doing and I didn't feel good AND I didn't know why.
I was doing the right things and I wasn't feeling it. And I was also doing the wrong things, and worse yet feeling GUILTY about it.
GUILT is a toxic emotion and for many of us it's linked to food. Think about it.
When I started to simplify my foods, adding juicing, and big raw dishes, more vegetables and got back into raw nuts, seeds, grains and away from processed breads and pastas, my body responded. My sleep improved, my skin improved, my energy improved. I stopped worrying about if I was doing the right thing. When I got rid of the rules, and the restrictions and the beliefs that I had to be on a schedule, I got happy.
That concept if something is good for us, MORE is better doesn't apply. With food, less is better. Too much and our digestive system is overwhelmed. But with raw, consistent is good for us. Grazing. But maybe even that-not for everyone.
Eating when we need to, when we feel hungry, isn't something we were generally raised on. The fear of 'being hungry' is what I most often hear people say when they are switching to more raw. Hunger, REAL hunger-most of us have really never known.
A little hungry-good for us! The LDS culture promotes fasting once a week. I'm not mormon, but you know, it's a dang good idea! AND when they have an issue before them, they fast for 24 hours and then pray on it. ALSO a good idea. Get the belly empty to get more insight.
When we do raw, the body doesn't have to work so hard at digesting. We all felt more light, both inside and above. I'm not saying if you want to be spiritual you have to give up meat. LOL Please. If there is one thing we learned, it's the ISH. It all works.
But filling up with more of other people's rules for you isn't what it's about. Finding out what really does work for you is. So, get into yourself. Really learn to listen, Pay attention to what feeds you! Not what they say you should be doing.
Get over doing it wrong, and experiment. For goodness sake folks, PLAY! And stop taking it all so seriously. I'm going to make my raw juice now. Celery, Romaine, cucumber, apple, lemon, ginger and a couple of carrots. That's breakfast for me!
Why do we seem to have a basic distrust of ourselves?
I hate to point a finger at mom, but I think as a generation we were raised to be (and our parents too)
on a schedule
obedient
and to ignore and override our natural inclinations, likes and dislikes
We were supposed to poop and pee on demand and not pay attention to need. (the idea of sitting on the toilet for hours waiting? You don't know when you have to poop? But you know, many don't. And if they haven't gone first thing in the morning, they stay home and pace until it happens. Their day is ruined. SO much angst around poops...gotta be the original training imprints!)
We were supposed to eat on schedule and whatever was in front of us and not pay attention to our own wants, likes or desires, and eat it ALL.
We were supposed to sleep on a schedule and not recognize when we are tired or overdone. And every night the same with no variety.
We aren't supposed to ever get sick, need to slow down, or listen to ourselves, and if we do something is seriously wrong. Hey, a cold MEANS you are detoxing. It is a sign of overdone and sometimes it's the only way your body CAN get you to stop)
So is it no wonder that we, as a generation and a nation, are still turning to other people to be the experts of us?
Do you LIKE the green super foods? If you LIKE THEM, and they LIKE YOU your body will let you know.
IF you LIKE, oh, chia seeds for instance, or hemp or sunflower seeds, and they LIKE YOU, then eat them, add them to your food and enjoy,not because they are the new superfood, but because you LIKE THEM. And it agrees with you.
RAW food was and is an effort to get back to nature, back to basics, back to food that isn't over chemicaled and over processed. It was an attempt to simplify, and the posts from other blogs while good information, never seem to say if they LIKE IT. Just what we should be doing and arguing about who has the best super food. I agree, adding them ALL is overkill. And I don't like gogi berries either much, and I don't like INKA berries at all. Ew. I tried them, and regardless of how good they are for me, I don't eat them. But it's good information, and it's worth trying for yourself. Remember when we all tried maca?!
In doing RAWish I discovered the tastes and smells and textures and joy of food again. We can go over intellectual with Raw, and we will miss the benefit. Eating should be a connection to your emotional body. It should satisfy us all the way through. Our body isn't a machine with food being the fuel. If that's what you think you are missing the vital component!
RAWish satisfies me emotionally and nurtures me. It makes me feel good. I feel listened to and I feel full on many levels. I like the cutting and the tasting, the mixing and the smells. It has become a whole process again of feeding myself inside.
I had gotten to a place where I hated to cook. I was overwhelmed with all the no-lists and all the suggested things I was supposed to be doing and I didn't feel good AND I didn't know why.
I was doing the right things and I wasn't feeling it. And I was also doing the wrong things, and worse yet feeling GUILTY about it.
GUILT is a toxic emotion and for many of us it's linked to food. Think about it.
When I started to simplify my foods, adding juicing, and big raw dishes, more vegetables and got back into raw nuts, seeds, grains and away from processed breads and pastas, my body responded. My sleep improved, my skin improved, my energy improved. I stopped worrying about if I was doing the right thing. When I got rid of the rules, and the restrictions and the beliefs that I had to be on a schedule, I got happy.
That concept if something is good for us, MORE is better doesn't apply. With food, less is better. Too much and our digestive system is overwhelmed. But with raw, consistent is good for us. Grazing. But maybe even that-not for everyone.
Eating when we need to, when we feel hungry, isn't something we were generally raised on. The fear of 'being hungry' is what I most often hear people say when they are switching to more raw. Hunger, REAL hunger-most of us have really never known.
A little hungry-good for us! The LDS culture promotes fasting once a week. I'm not mormon, but you know, it's a dang good idea! AND when they have an issue before them, they fast for 24 hours and then pray on it. ALSO a good idea. Get the belly empty to get more insight.
When we do raw, the body doesn't have to work so hard at digesting. We all felt more light, both inside and above. I'm not saying if you want to be spiritual you have to give up meat. LOL Please. If there is one thing we learned, it's the ISH. It all works.
But filling up with more of other people's rules for you isn't what it's about. Finding out what really does work for you is. So, get into yourself. Really learn to listen, Pay attention to what feeds you! Not what they say you should be doing.
Get over doing it wrong, and experiment. For goodness sake folks, PLAY! And stop taking it all so seriously. I'm going to make my raw juice now. Celery, Romaine, cucumber, apple, lemon, ginger and a couple of carrots. That's breakfast for me!
David Wolfe on Superfoods
On youTube there are several videos of David Wolfe talking about superfoods. I haven't watched them yet, but I am planning on it.
They are David Wolfe at Exotic Superfoods in Queens.
They are David Wolfe at Exotic Superfoods in Queens.
Chia Seeds
I add chia seeds to my salads and the dressings. It makes the dressings thick and creamy. Look closely at the chia seeds and the design they have. Very shamanic! I keep mine in the frig and bought them in a sealed package from Good Earth. I'm sure you can get them at Whole Foods too.
I took this info from a site that sells chia seeds. There is more info on the site in an article.
http://www.getchia.com/aboutchia.html
Chia Seeds are THE BEST source of
Omega-3 & Omega-6 essential fatty acids!
These seeds are perfect for diabetics &
people watching or trying to lose weight.
Chia Seeds are also very beneficial to the
heart and extremely high in fiber, calcium, high
quality protein, slowly processed carbohydrates
and loaded with vitamins & minerals and antioxidants!
The health benefits of Omega-3
fatty acids are becoming widely known.
What is not as well known is that the
chia seed is THE BEST source of Omega-3.
CHIA SEED IS BETTER THAN
FISH OIL & FLAX SEED!
Chia seed is high in protein
and high in calcium. 5 times the calcium of milk, 631 mg per 100 grams of seed.
Chia seeds are also high in protein,
with 18 grams per 100 grams of seed.
The optimum ratio of Omega-3 to
Omega-6 should be 3:1.
Chia seed provides that ratio.
Chia seed is hydrophilic.
Absorbing up to 14 times
(Mix @ 9-10 times) its weight in water.
This helps extend energy and endurance.
Chia seed is rich in antioxidant oils.
Chia contains chlorogenic acid, and
caffeic acid as well as myricetin,
quercetin, and kaempferol flavonols.
These compounds are both primary and synergistic antioxidants that contribute
to the strong antioxidant activity of chia.
Chia seed is also low in sodium.
Only 19 mg per 100 grams.
I took this info from a site that sells chia seeds. There is more info on the site in an article.
http://www.getchia.com/aboutchia.html
Chia Seeds are THE BEST source of
Omega-3 & Omega-6 essential fatty acids!
These seeds are perfect for diabetics &
people watching or trying to lose weight.
Chia Seeds are also very beneficial to the
heart and extremely high in fiber, calcium, high
quality protein, slowly processed carbohydrates
and loaded with vitamins & minerals and antioxidants!
The health benefits of Omega-3
fatty acids are becoming widely known.
What is not as well known is that the
chia seed is THE BEST source of Omega-3.
CHIA SEED IS BETTER THAN
FISH OIL & FLAX SEED!
Chia seed is high in protein
and high in calcium. 5 times the calcium of milk, 631 mg per 100 grams of seed.
Chia seeds are also high in protein,
with 18 grams per 100 grams of seed.
The optimum ratio of Omega-3 to
Omega-6 should be 3:1.
Chia seed provides that ratio.
Chia seed is hydrophilic.
Absorbing up to 14 times
(Mix @ 9-10 times) its weight in water.
This helps extend energy and endurance.
Chia seed is rich in antioxidant oils.
Chia contains chlorogenic acid, and
caffeic acid as well as myricetin,
quercetin, and kaempferol flavonols.
These compounds are both primary and synergistic antioxidants that contribute
to the strong antioxidant activity of chia.
Chia seed is also low in sodium.
Only 19 mg per 100 grams.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Goji Berries
This is from the Edible Goddess Blog
I personally don't really like the taste of goji berries but if they are mixed in something I can eat them.
Top 24 Health Benefits of Goji Berries
June 24, 2010 by Edible Goddess · Leave a Comment
16
Share
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about goji berries. They are sweet little red scrumptious berries that comes to us mostly in dried form or in synergistic Superfood powder blends like Fruits of the Earth. If you’re looking for the ultimate complete raw protein that you can nibble on throughout the day, or, a nutrient-dense addition to your smoothie to start your day off Superhero-style, you’ve found it!
For everything you could ever want to know about the legendary goji berries, I suggest you check out the books: GOJI: The Himalayan Health Secret and David Wolfe’s book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future!
In preparation for the Radiance and Beauty Superfood Tele-seminar, I read this book + others and feel like it’s my duty to share the top 24 benefits of goji berries (according the this book – and I concur). This is a direct excerpt from the book and just 1 page of reading pleasure about this gorgeous happy berry!
Top 24 Health Benefits of Goji!
1) Extends life, protecting your body from premature aging through its powerful antioxidant action
2) Increases your energy and strength, especially when fighting dis-ease
3) Makes you feel & look younger. Goji stimulates the secretion of hGH (human growth hormone), the ‘youth hormone.’
4) Maintains healthy blood pressure
5) Reduces cholesterol
6) Promotes normal blood sugar in early adult-onset diabetes
7) Enhances sexual function and treats sexual dysfunction
Helps you lose weight
9) Relieves headaches and dizziness
10) Relieves insomnia and improves quality of sleep
11) Supports eye health and improves your vision
12) Strengthens your heart
13) Improves dis-ease resistance
14) Builds strong blood, enhancing production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
15) Supports healthy liver function
16) Treats menopausal symptoms
17) Prevents morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy
18) Improves fertility
19) Strengthens your muscles and bones
20) Improves your memory and recall ability
21) Supports normal kidney function
22) Helps chronic dry cough
23) Alleviates anxiety and stress
24) Promotes cheerfulness and brightens your spirit
Now, I’m sure that there is at least 1 of the 24 benefits that resonates with you. Search out products that contain goji berries and be mindful of the sourcing – don’t buy sugar-laden goji berry juice that looks good on the front of the label but actually is just a bunch of concentrate and/or sugars when you check out the fine print. Buy dried goji berries (Ultimate Superfoods or Sunfood Nutrition) or pick them fresh if you are fortunate to do so.
You know, anyone can grow fresh goji berries… even indoors! To the right you’ll find fresh goji berries that I synchronistically found at the farmer’s market for the 1st time ever, just after I posted this blog. Amazing, right?
I personally don't really like the taste of goji berries but if they are mixed in something I can eat them.
Top 24 Health Benefits of Goji Berries
June 24, 2010 by Edible Goddess · Leave a Comment
16
Share
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about goji berries. They are sweet little red scrumptious berries that comes to us mostly in dried form or in synergistic Superfood powder blends like Fruits of the Earth. If you’re looking for the ultimate complete raw protein that you can nibble on throughout the day, or, a nutrient-dense addition to your smoothie to start your day off Superhero-style, you’ve found it!
For everything you could ever want to know about the legendary goji berries, I suggest you check out the books: GOJI: The Himalayan Health Secret and David Wolfe’s book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future!
In preparation for the Radiance and Beauty Superfood Tele-seminar, I read this book + others and feel like it’s my duty to share the top 24 benefits of goji berries (according the this book – and I concur). This is a direct excerpt from the book and just 1 page of reading pleasure about this gorgeous happy berry!
Top 24 Health Benefits of Goji!
1) Extends life, protecting your body from premature aging through its powerful antioxidant action
2) Increases your energy and strength, especially when fighting dis-ease
3) Makes you feel & look younger. Goji stimulates the secretion of hGH (human growth hormone), the ‘youth hormone.’
4) Maintains healthy blood pressure
5) Reduces cholesterol
6) Promotes normal blood sugar in early adult-onset diabetes
7) Enhances sexual function and treats sexual dysfunction
Helps you lose weight
9) Relieves headaches and dizziness
10) Relieves insomnia and improves quality of sleep
11) Supports eye health and improves your vision
12) Strengthens your heart
13) Improves dis-ease resistance
14) Builds strong blood, enhancing production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
15) Supports healthy liver function
16) Treats menopausal symptoms
17) Prevents morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy
18) Improves fertility
19) Strengthens your muscles and bones
20) Improves your memory and recall ability
21) Supports normal kidney function
22) Helps chronic dry cough
23) Alleviates anxiety and stress
24) Promotes cheerfulness and brightens your spirit
Now, I’m sure that there is at least 1 of the 24 benefits that resonates with you. Search out products that contain goji berries and be mindful of the sourcing – don’t buy sugar-laden goji berry juice that looks good on the front of the label but actually is just a bunch of concentrate and/or sugars when you check out the fine print. Buy dried goji berries (Ultimate Superfoods or Sunfood Nutrition) or pick them fresh if you are fortunate to do so.
You know, anyone can grow fresh goji berries… even indoors! To the right you’ll find fresh goji berries that I synchronistically found at the farmer’s market for the 1st time ever, just after I posted this blog. Amazing, right?
Spirulina and Chlorella
Chlorella:
Chlorella has been touted as the perfect whole food. Aside from being a complete protein and containing all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the major minerals (with zinc and iron in amounts large enough to be considered supplementary), it has been found to improve the immune system, improve digestion, detoxify the body, accelerate healing, protect against radiation, aid in the prevention of degenerative diseases, help in treatment of Candida albicans, relieve arthritis pain and, because of its nutritional content, aid in the success of numerous weight loss programs.
- Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible
Spirulina:
Spirulina's predigested protein provides building material soon after ingestion, without the energy-draining side effects of meat protein; its mucopolysaccharides relax and strengthen connective tissue while reducing the possibility of inflammation; its simple carbohydrates yield immediate yet sustained energy; its GLA fatty acids improve hormonal balance; and its protein-bonded vitamins and minerals, as found in all whole foods, assimilate better than the synthetic variety. Spirulina can generally be considered an appropriate food for those who exercise vigorously, as evidenced by the many world-class athletes who use it
- Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
Chlorella and spirulina have such strong health benefits that even well-known doctors and authors use these products and note their benefits:
It is possible that the GLA found in spirulina and possibly these other products accounts for some of the positive effects that people experience when using them, including decreased appetite, weight loss, and improved energy levels, especially mental energy. I personally have used all of these products and must say I have experienced a subtle increase in mental clarity and alertness (not like a nervous, caffeine-type stimulation). These algae must subtly stimulate our nervous systems or release certain internal neurochemicals that create this "up" feeling.
- Staying Healthy With Nutrition by Elson Haas, M.D.
In all, these two superfoods are effective in not just reversing a long list of serious diseases (discuss in far more detail below), they are powerful health enhancers that demonstrate phenomenal benefits even to people who are in "good" health
Chlorella has been touted as the perfect whole food. Aside from being a complete protein and containing all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the major minerals (with zinc and iron in amounts large enough to be considered supplementary), it has been found to improve the immune system, improve digestion, detoxify the body, accelerate healing, protect against radiation, aid in the prevention of degenerative diseases, help in treatment of Candida albicans, relieve arthritis pain and, because of its nutritional content, aid in the success of numerous weight loss programs.
- Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible
Spirulina:
Spirulina's predigested protein provides building material soon after ingestion, without the energy-draining side effects of meat protein; its mucopolysaccharides relax and strengthen connective tissue while reducing the possibility of inflammation; its simple carbohydrates yield immediate yet sustained energy; its GLA fatty acids improve hormonal balance; and its protein-bonded vitamins and minerals, as found in all whole foods, assimilate better than the synthetic variety. Spirulina can generally be considered an appropriate food for those who exercise vigorously, as evidenced by the many world-class athletes who use it
- Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
Chlorella and spirulina have such strong health benefits that even well-known doctors and authors use these products and note their benefits:
It is possible that the GLA found in spirulina and possibly these other products accounts for some of the positive effects that people experience when using them, including decreased appetite, weight loss, and improved energy levels, especially mental energy. I personally have used all of these products and must say I have experienced a subtle increase in mental clarity and alertness (not like a nervous, caffeine-type stimulation). These algae must subtly stimulate our nervous systems or release certain internal neurochemicals that create this "up" feeling.
- Staying Healthy With Nutrition by Elson Haas, M.D.
In all, these two superfoods are effective in not just reversing a long list of serious diseases (discuss in far more detail below), they are powerful health enhancers that demonstrate phenomenal benefits even to people who are in "good" health
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
More valuable info from Christian B.
This was posted on the raw meetup site by Vanessa J.
I love boosting my health through therapeutically nutritious elixirs, superfood drinks, and tonic herbs and occasionally doing a fast or cleanse on them, and I really hope you do to or will start to today.
And yet I see so many people doing the second best thing, which is trying get their trace nutrients from green vegetable juice only.
May I be frank and bold? There are countless raw food healing centers and raw food coaches that are promoting a diet that is basically just fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and therapeutic amounts of green vegetable juice. Their primary strategy for mineralization and cleansing comes from doing green vegetable juices. Let me explain why this “old school” method will give you some initial or short term results but will ultimately deprive you of vitality and common sense. In fact, it’s a downright short sighted approach. I will explain…
I have been an “all raw” raw foodist for over 7 years, and at one time I did 18 months of a half gallon of fresh vegetable juice every day. After the first 9 months of this, I hit my first “wall” where I just couldn’t do that much bulk intake of alkaline vegetable minerals. So, I started diluting my juices by putting herbal tea through my juicer after I ran the vegetables so that my juice was about 50% green juice (fresh pressed organic store-bought produce including celery, cucumbers, lemons, limes, parsley, cilantro, dandelion, ginger, grass, etc.) and about 50% tea (a few tonic herbs like reishi mushroom, yerbe mate, YogiTea blends). I did this unconsciously just as a way to help clean my juicer, not really realizing what I was doing and where I was headed with the tonic herbs approach. I also amended my green juices with green powders like Vitamineral Green and Crystal Manna.
After about 9 months of the 50/50 juice, I hit another “wall” where I just could not have more than a few sips before I felt loopy. I kept trying to drink lots of green juice but it only got me “stoned with alkalosis.” Had I continued, I might have developed an allergy to juiced store bought produce. What had happened is that I was putting myself into acute alkalosis: too much alkalinity from the juice lasting about two hours as my body had already become more neutral in pH normally (by detoxing the acids and restoring my alkaline mineral balance).
When you first get into organic styles of cleansing or go raw, you might be coming from a background (and we all come from this background) of eating poor food choices and being exposed to toxins that put an excess of acids in our body. So when we first do lots of green juice (alkaline minerals), we go from acidic to neutral pH for the few hours after having the drink. Our body should be approximately neutral in pH as a normal state of health when we wake up in the morning. If we do effectively detox and bring in the minerals as our long term protocol, then our body will eventually become more neutral in pH, and if we continue to do a lot of green vegetable juice, then eventually we will hit a “wall” like I did, and go from neutral to over-alkaline for the few hours after having the drink. We can see in this case that green juice is medicine, and should not necessarily be a “meal” we have every single day, forever.
The big issue with green vegetable juice is that it is only one “food group” and it is usually hybridized, store bought greens (cultivars that did not exist a thousand years ago) as opposed to wild greens. Therefore a store bought vegetable juicing person is still actively addicted to agriculture and domestication, which majorly lacks virility, certain minerals and immunomodulatory substances.
Enter > Longevity Elixirs. If I had to do the last 7 years all over again, I would have done a lot more longevity elixirs and about a fourth the vegetable juice that I did. These Superfood Beauty Elixirs contain any of the following deeply rejuvenating substances:
Aloe vera (fresh gel), algaes (blue green, chlorella, spirulina), acerola berry, amla berry, camu camu berry, cacao, coconut water kefir, goji berries, HealthForce Nutritionals blends like Vitamineral Green and Vitamineral Earth, maca, marine phytoplankton, medicinal mushroom extracts like Reishi, MSM, noni, sea vegetables like kelp, shilajit, spring water and a variety of tonic herb extracts or teas containing (asparagus root, cat’s claw, dandelion root, ginseng, gynostemma, he shou wu, horse tail, more of the many medicinal mushrooms like chaga, nettles, shizandra berry ~ all available from Mountain Rose Herbs).
These foods have a much richer variety of minerals and nutrients than green juice vegetables and do not have the overly-alkaline kick that green juice has, but do deliver alkaline minerals deep into your body. You will heal your tissues, immune system, nervous system, skin and organs much more profoundly with this “tonic elixir” approach.
To clarify, these foods and herbs that I mention are about a much more refined approach to nourishing each system of the body, and to promote longevity and clarity. If you are already doing a lot of green juice or sweet green smoothies, then consider this a wake up call from someone who has already gone down that road and who sees the capped health results in the “gurus” who promote these “simple raw diet” approaches. I hope you see the love behind my boldness on this issue; no judgement.
I recommend looking at the food you put in your body as something that should be more wild and medicinal. Pretend you are the shamans from each of the worlds multi-thousand-of-herbs ancient herbal systems (African traditions, Amazonian, Ayurvedic, Aboriginal….and that’s just the A’s). As a shaman, what would you advise people to heal themselves with? Juice of California-grown carrots? Not likely. You would prepare for them your top 3 to 7 exotic tonic herbs and foods that together work on the person’s body, mind and spirit.
If you were a Meso-American shaman, you might recommend a drink made from the local tonic goods: fresh aloe vera gel, blended with spring water, acerola berry, stevia to taste, sea salt, spirulina, and vanilla – all of which are foods that one can now easily acquire online and from their local natural food store and prepare in a blender. This drink (and we will unveil many more detailed recipes in our upcoming eBook on Superfood Beauty Elixirs) will restore the youthfulness of your skin and joints, boost your mood, create an outstanding immune system….and can be consumed daily – forever – without going into alkalosis.
In your health quest, keep doing what works for you. Just make sure to keep trying and adding in an evermore top quality variety of superfoods, herbs, wild foods and garden grown salads so that you will always be updating your protocol, staying innovative (which is what we do with everything else in our life, especially technology, and preparing food is a technology). By trying new things and displacing the old, you will never get stuck in health dogma, or be lured for very long by the less-than-healthiest teachers out there. I do support everyone on a raw-related path as our hearts are all in the right place. Let’s just make sure that we eschew last year’s or even last decade’s ideas and stay on the leading edge of health as we discover the secrets of longevity together!
Your Friend in Cutting Edge Health Mastery
This was written by Christian Bates who I met seven years ago at the beggining of his journey.
I love boosting my health through therapeutically nutritious elixirs, superfood drinks, and tonic herbs and occasionally doing a fast or cleanse on them, and I really hope you do to or will start to today.
And yet I see so many people doing the second best thing, which is trying get their trace nutrients from green vegetable juice only.
May I be frank and bold? There are countless raw food healing centers and raw food coaches that are promoting a diet that is basically just fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and therapeutic amounts of green vegetable juice. Their primary strategy for mineralization and cleansing comes from doing green vegetable juices. Let me explain why this “old school” method will give you some initial or short term results but will ultimately deprive you of vitality and common sense. In fact, it’s a downright short sighted approach. I will explain…
I have been an “all raw” raw foodist for over 7 years, and at one time I did 18 months of a half gallon of fresh vegetable juice every day. After the first 9 months of this, I hit my first “wall” where I just couldn’t do that much bulk intake of alkaline vegetable minerals. So, I started diluting my juices by putting herbal tea through my juicer after I ran the vegetables so that my juice was about 50% green juice (fresh pressed organic store-bought produce including celery, cucumbers, lemons, limes, parsley, cilantro, dandelion, ginger, grass, etc.) and about 50% tea (a few tonic herbs like reishi mushroom, yerbe mate, YogiTea blends). I did this unconsciously just as a way to help clean my juicer, not really realizing what I was doing and where I was headed with the tonic herbs approach. I also amended my green juices with green powders like Vitamineral Green and Crystal Manna.
After about 9 months of the 50/50 juice, I hit another “wall” where I just could not have more than a few sips before I felt loopy. I kept trying to drink lots of green juice but it only got me “stoned with alkalosis.” Had I continued, I might have developed an allergy to juiced store bought produce. What had happened is that I was putting myself into acute alkalosis: too much alkalinity from the juice lasting about two hours as my body had already become more neutral in pH normally (by detoxing the acids and restoring my alkaline mineral balance).
When you first get into organic styles of cleansing or go raw, you might be coming from a background (and we all come from this background) of eating poor food choices and being exposed to toxins that put an excess of acids in our body. So when we first do lots of green juice (alkaline minerals), we go from acidic to neutral pH for the few hours after having the drink. Our body should be approximately neutral in pH as a normal state of health when we wake up in the morning. If we do effectively detox and bring in the minerals as our long term protocol, then our body will eventually become more neutral in pH, and if we continue to do a lot of green vegetable juice, then eventually we will hit a “wall” like I did, and go from neutral to over-alkaline for the few hours after having the drink. We can see in this case that green juice is medicine, and should not necessarily be a “meal” we have every single day, forever.
The big issue with green vegetable juice is that it is only one “food group” and it is usually hybridized, store bought greens (cultivars that did not exist a thousand years ago) as opposed to wild greens. Therefore a store bought vegetable juicing person is still actively addicted to agriculture and domestication, which majorly lacks virility, certain minerals and immunomodulatory substances.
Enter > Longevity Elixirs. If I had to do the last 7 years all over again, I would have done a lot more longevity elixirs and about a fourth the vegetable juice that I did. These Superfood Beauty Elixirs contain any of the following deeply rejuvenating substances:
Aloe vera (fresh gel), algaes (blue green, chlorella, spirulina), acerola berry, amla berry, camu camu berry, cacao, coconut water kefir, goji berries, HealthForce Nutritionals blends like Vitamineral Green and Vitamineral Earth, maca, marine phytoplankton, medicinal mushroom extracts like Reishi, MSM, noni, sea vegetables like kelp, shilajit, spring water and a variety of tonic herb extracts or teas containing (asparagus root, cat’s claw, dandelion root, ginseng, gynostemma, he shou wu, horse tail, more of the many medicinal mushrooms like chaga, nettles, shizandra berry ~ all available from Mountain Rose Herbs).
These foods have a much richer variety of minerals and nutrients than green juice vegetables and do not have the overly-alkaline kick that green juice has, but do deliver alkaline minerals deep into your body. You will heal your tissues, immune system, nervous system, skin and organs much more profoundly with this “tonic elixir” approach.
To clarify, these foods and herbs that I mention are about a much more refined approach to nourishing each system of the body, and to promote longevity and clarity. If you are already doing a lot of green juice or sweet green smoothies, then consider this a wake up call from someone who has already gone down that road and who sees the capped health results in the “gurus” who promote these “simple raw diet” approaches. I hope you see the love behind my boldness on this issue; no judgement.
I recommend looking at the food you put in your body as something that should be more wild and medicinal. Pretend you are the shamans from each of the worlds multi-thousand-of-herbs ancient herbal systems (African traditions, Amazonian, Ayurvedic, Aboriginal….and that’s just the A’s). As a shaman, what would you advise people to heal themselves with? Juice of California-grown carrots? Not likely. You would prepare for them your top 3 to 7 exotic tonic herbs and foods that together work on the person’s body, mind and spirit.
If you were a Meso-American shaman, you might recommend a drink made from the local tonic goods: fresh aloe vera gel, blended with spring water, acerola berry, stevia to taste, sea salt, spirulina, and vanilla – all of which are foods that one can now easily acquire online and from their local natural food store and prepare in a blender. This drink (and we will unveil many more detailed recipes in our upcoming eBook on Superfood Beauty Elixirs) will restore the youthfulness of your skin and joints, boost your mood, create an outstanding immune system….and can be consumed daily – forever – without going into alkalosis.
In your health quest, keep doing what works for you. Just make sure to keep trying and adding in an evermore top quality variety of superfoods, herbs, wild foods and garden grown salads so that you will always be updating your protocol, staying innovative (which is what we do with everything else in our life, especially technology, and preparing food is a technology). By trying new things and displacing the old, you will never get stuck in health dogma, or be lured for very long by the less-than-healthiest teachers out there. I do support everyone on a raw-related path as our hearts are all in the right place. Let’s just make sure that we eschew last year’s or even last decade’s ideas and stay on the leading edge of health as we discover the secrets of longevity together!
Your Friend in Cutting Edge Health Mastery
This was written by Christian Bates who I met seven years ago at the beggining of his journey.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Is this really organic?
ABC news ran this rather interesting profile on Organic foods from China and Whole Foods and how they are NOT inspected the way one would think, and not to our standards even though they have the 'stamp of approval'. Buyer beware looms again.
The 365 label at Whole Foods-next time you go turn the packages over and in small print you'll find "product of china".
Thanks Kathy for sending this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JQ31Ljd9T_Y
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Benefits of Conscious Eating
One of the things that adding more raw to my daily food did was bring me to an awareness of my own eating patterns, and connected me to the language of my body. By that I mean that our body only has the means of physical signals to communicate with 'us' - the conscious self that thinks it knows or can figure out everything. I realized I had used food to numb myself out to that communication forever.
When I began to eat with conscious awareness, I noticed how I felt both before and after I ate. I realized I really did have a reaction to wheat that made me congested and my nose feel swollen. I had NEVER noticed before. I no longer have that reaction with wheat, but I don't much care for it. I have CHOSEN to not eat it, rather than feeling like I can't eat it.
Now for some people that have never had food issues, that may well be normal for them. But, remember I used to weigh 300 pounds, and though it was 20 years ago now, it seems like yesterday sometimes, when I am reminded of what it felt like to be overwhelmed by my own body, and feeling betrayed and confused by it as if it were a stranger to me and I was trapped inside.
I will see someone struggling in an airplane seat and instantly recall the feel of the armrests against my sides as I would attempt to make myself smaller so I didn't invade someone else's space, energetically apologizing for being me.By the same token, I still marvel when I click a seatbelt around me in the airplane now and have to pull it tighter - that it really is me. When the gentleman in the aisle in front asked for a seatbelt extender I instantly remembered having to ask for one myself once and the shame that washed over me as I did. I was 8 months pregnant, but the withering look the flight attendant shot me, shaming to the bone.
So raw food is the first thing that seems to have freed me from so many of the misunderstandings I had about how and why I ate. I thought I was eating to numb out, but really I was eating to fill up a void that was an aching painful emptiness. I was already numb. I was trying to feel. I was trying to wake myself up and bring myself back in by chewing and crunching.
Notice for yourself as you eat more raw, and clear yourself out, and wake yourself up, how you really feel. And if I can suggest one thing: don't be afraid of the feelings. We are feeling beings. That's why we are here. LET yourself feel.
When I began to eat with conscious awareness, I noticed how I felt both before and after I ate. I realized I really did have a reaction to wheat that made me congested and my nose feel swollen. I had NEVER noticed before. I no longer have that reaction with wheat, but I don't much care for it. I have CHOSEN to not eat it, rather than feeling like I can't eat it.
Now for some people that have never had food issues, that may well be normal for them. But, remember I used to weigh 300 pounds, and though it was 20 years ago now, it seems like yesterday sometimes, when I am reminded of what it felt like to be overwhelmed by my own body, and feeling betrayed and confused by it as if it were a stranger to me and I was trapped inside.
I will see someone struggling in an airplane seat and instantly recall the feel of the armrests against my sides as I would attempt to make myself smaller so I didn't invade someone else's space, energetically apologizing for being me.By the same token, I still marvel when I click a seatbelt around me in the airplane now and have to pull it tighter - that it really is me. When the gentleman in the aisle in front asked for a seatbelt extender I instantly remembered having to ask for one myself once and the shame that washed over me as I did. I was 8 months pregnant, but the withering look the flight attendant shot me, shaming to the bone.
So raw food is the first thing that seems to have freed me from so many of the misunderstandings I had about how and why I ate. I thought I was eating to numb out, but really I was eating to fill up a void that was an aching painful emptiness. I was already numb. I was trying to feel. I was trying to wake myself up and bring myself back in by chewing and crunching.
Notice for yourself as you eat more raw, and clear yourself out, and wake yourself up, how you really feel. And if I can suggest one thing: don't be afraid of the feelings. We are feeling beings. That's why we are here. LET yourself feel.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
HEMP SEEDS
If you haven't found hemp seeds yet, go get some on your next trip to Whole Foods. They are high in protein, 65% globulin and have ALL the amino acids. All of them. It's a balanced blend of omega 3 and 6, and the richest known source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. And they taste good too!
2 TBS of hemp seeds packs a whooping 11 grams of protein!
I'm going to try hemp butter next time instead of peanut butter if I can find it.
You can eat them raw, ground, sprouted or turned into milk like you do almond milk.
I made some raw snacks and rolled them in hemp seed for a nutty coating. They turned out great. I would post the recipe but it was a Sunday mess and who could repeat it?
Get out the processor. Put into it any dried fruit and nut combo you want. i added peanut butter to moisten and then after processing it together formed into balls and rolled in hemp seed. Had them all week to take to work and to snack on. Easy!
More and More Rawness
I'm on the east coast at the moment, and every day someone comes in and says "I'm juicing" or "I'm doing green smoothies" or "I'm eating more organic".
Well well! Bit by bit we are waking up. People are fed up with feeling lousy. We are no longer willing to have low energy and low libido for life!
Truth is I can see it in the glow in their skin and the sparkle in their eyes. They come in lighter, and freer and they are becoming curious about this 'raw' stuff.
I'm enjoying these raw snacks I found at Whole foods. They are similar to what Catherine Ann has made. My favorite is called 'raisin brittle" and is sunflower seeds, raisins, pumpkin seeds and coconut. They are called "Smart Treat" and are vegan, gluten free and dairy free. So if you miss a crunchy something, they fit the bill, although not salty.
I've been doing more raw again while here. Taking lettuce rollups to work, and making various concoctions again. We all wonder why we stop when we do but I think it's because it feels so good when we get back to it again! We come to appreciate it even more.
We are retraining a lifetime of ingrained habits and traditions of generations! Be gentle with yourself.
Allow yourself to eat-and don't guilt. No need to get hungry. Throw out the rules about eating on a schedule and eat when your body tells you to. Trying to eat on a schedule is like trying to poop on a schedule. You poop when your body is done with the the processing, and not before.
By the way-same thing with issues. Just thought I would throw that in. Everything has it's right moment. No use sitting and straining over stuff that isn't ready to come out. Trust your body!
Pay attention to how you feel with every bite so you can let your body teach you what you've missed before! It's doing the best it can with what we were giving it and frankly it's been doing a great job under the toughest of circumstances. Talk about lack of recognition!
It's never too late to be who you've been waiting for!
Well well! Bit by bit we are waking up. People are fed up with feeling lousy. We are no longer willing to have low energy and low libido for life!
Truth is I can see it in the glow in their skin and the sparkle in their eyes. They come in lighter, and freer and they are becoming curious about this 'raw' stuff.
I'm enjoying these raw snacks I found at Whole foods. They are similar to what Catherine Ann has made. My favorite is called 'raisin brittle" and is sunflower seeds, raisins, pumpkin seeds and coconut. They are called "Smart Treat" and are vegan, gluten free and dairy free. So if you miss a crunchy something, they fit the bill, although not salty.
I've been doing more raw again while here. Taking lettuce rollups to work, and making various concoctions again. We all wonder why we stop when we do but I think it's because it feels so good when we get back to it again! We come to appreciate it even more.
We are retraining a lifetime of ingrained habits and traditions of generations! Be gentle with yourself.
Allow yourself to eat-and don't guilt. No need to get hungry. Throw out the rules about eating on a schedule and eat when your body tells you to. Trying to eat on a schedule is like trying to poop on a schedule. You poop when your body is done with the the processing, and not before.
By the way-same thing with issues. Just thought I would throw that in. Everything has it's right moment. No use sitting and straining over stuff that isn't ready to come out. Trust your body!
Pay attention to how you feel with every bite so you can let your body teach you what you've missed before! It's doing the best it can with what we were giving it and frankly it's been doing a great job under the toughest of circumstances. Talk about lack of recognition!
It's never too late to be who you've been waiting for!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Info about Sunfoods
February 25, 2010
Do you Buy From Sunfood.com? Better think
twice!
So I just got this today from my friend on Facebook Chef Believe,
evidently passed on from Vanessa Johansson
http://www.meetup.com/slc-rawfood-superheroes-com/members/5900104/As
I never really trusted Sun Food and their over bloated prices this
comes to my inbox. Please read and repost as much as possible.____________________________________________________________________________
I
have been meaning to post this for a month now and finally have found a
moment to do so.
As
some of you know I have been investigating the raw cacao industry and
raw powder and butter in particular. You heard it here first that
basically every cacao product on the market today is actually cooked,
and as of right now Essential Living Foods, Big Tree Organics and the
paste from Ultimate Superfoods (not the powder) is actually a raw
product.
Well, I have a grand finale to this story. After many
conversations and emails I have discovered some important info about
Sunfood, David Wolfes company.
First of all, it is not David
Wolfes company.
As
of at least 12 months ago, it has been owned by Doug Harbison, a non
raw foodist non superhero cooked wonder bread old school business
executive. David Wolfe makes no money off of Sunfood and owns no stock
in Sunfood. He tried to get Sunfood off of cooked chocolate products
and the owners would not listen to him. In fact, they have over 8
lawsuits against David Wolfe. I spoke to the current owner of
Sunfood...
I spoke to the current owner of Sunfood multiple times and here is
what he told me:
He
does not care if the cacao powder and butter are agave and yacon are
cooked products. He said that I am the only person who has called to
complain so he thinks that people are still satisfied with these
products. Hmmm...
He also told me that he believes that Essential
living Foods is lying about their products being cooked. I asked him
why a company would self destruct like this and he said he didnt know
but he thought they were lying. I asked him why they would lose so many
accounts and jeopardize their own investment and he said he didn't know
but he really thought that their product was raw and they were making
up a story about it being cooked.
Hmmmm....
He finally
said that he was sending his buddy Brian from Sunfood down to
investigate himself. I asked him why he thought that they would be let
in to the manufacturing facility without being a customer, when
Essential Living Foods who is actually a customer was not allowed to
step foot into the facility. He could not answer me.
He promised
to get back to me over month ago with a resolution for one customer,
myself, who has spent a fortune on what I was told and promised was the
best of the best and come to find out it was cooked and fraudulently
sold to me. I havent had any reply.
They knew it was cooked. They
still know it is cooked. He doesn't care!
So,
I have Doug Harbisons private email and cell phone number. I would like
all 286 members on this site to personally call this inflated buffoon
and let hm know that you do in fact care that his products are being
sold fraudulently, that his raw chocolate is not raw, and that you will
no longer support Sunfood nor will you purchase their products anymore.
Let him know that what could be the impetus for the tipping point on
this planet is being turned into a farce by a few corrupt and greedy
individuals such as himself, and that many curious and in need people
are being turned off of the raw food movement as a tool for health and
consciousness because they dont feel that it is trust worthy and
anything other than a hoax. Say whatever you want actually but let this
man know that you are not sheeple and will demand truth, integrity, and
quality ad will vote with your dollars. Lets not let one bad apple
spoil the beauty and truth of this lifestyle choice.
Fill up and
flood this mans email and voicemail with your voices!!!!
In
my opinion, Sunfood has lost the plot, and is completely out of
integrity and should not be supported in any manner and the word should
be spread like wild fire through the Superhero network.
I happily
provide you now with his private contact information.
DOUG
HARBISON
doug@sunfood.com
314-422-0206
Repost this on as
many forums as you can folks. Ready-Set-GO!!!
Do you Buy From Sunfood.com? Better think
twice!
So I just got this today from my friend on Facebook Chef Believe,
evidently passed on from Vanessa Johansson
http://www.meetup.com/slc-rawfood-superheroes-com/members/5900104/As
I never really trusted Sun Food and their over bloated prices this
comes to my inbox. Please read and repost as much as possible.____________________________________________________________________________
I
have been meaning to post this for a month now and finally have found a
moment to do so.
As
some of you know I have been investigating the raw cacao industry and
raw powder and butter in particular. You heard it here first that
basically every cacao product on the market today is actually cooked,
and as of right now Essential Living Foods, Big Tree Organics and the
paste from Ultimate Superfoods (not the powder) is actually a raw
product.
Well, I have a grand finale to this story. After many
conversations and emails I have discovered some important info about
Sunfood, David Wolfes company.
First of all, it is not David
Wolfes company.
As
of at least 12 months ago, it has been owned by Doug Harbison, a non
raw foodist non superhero cooked wonder bread old school business
executive. David Wolfe makes no money off of Sunfood and owns no stock
in Sunfood. He tried to get Sunfood off of cooked chocolate products
and the owners would not listen to him. In fact, they have over 8
lawsuits against David Wolfe. I spoke to the current owner of
Sunfood...
I spoke to the current owner of Sunfood multiple times and here is
what he told me:
He
does not care if the cacao powder and butter are agave and yacon are
cooked products. He said that I am the only person who has called to
complain so he thinks that people are still satisfied with these
products. Hmmm...
He also told me that he believes that Essential
living Foods is lying about their products being cooked. I asked him
why a company would self destruct like this and he said he didnt know
but he thought they were lying. I asked him why they would lose so many
accounts and jeopardize their own investment and he said he didn't know
but he really thought that their product was raw and they were making
up a story about it being cooked.
Hmmmm....
He finally
said that he was sending his buddy Brian from Sunfood down to
investigate himself. I asked him why he thought that they would be let
in to the manufacturing facility without being a customer, when
Essential Living Foods who is actually a customer was not allowed to
step foot into the facility. He could not answer me.
He promised
to get back to me over month ago with a resolution for one customer,
myself, who has spent a fortune on what I was told and promised was the
best of the best and come to find out it was cooked and fraudulently
sold to me. I havent had any reply.
They knew it was cooked. They
still know it is cooked. He doesn't care!
So,
I have Doug Harbisons private email and cell phone number. I would like
all 286 members on this site to personally call this inflated buffoon
and let hm know that you do in fact care that his products are being
sold fraudulently, that his raw chocolate is not raw, and that you will
no longer support Sunfood nor will you purchase their products anymore.
Let him know that what could be the impetus for the tipping point on
this planet is being turned into a farce by a few corrupt and greedy
individuals such as himself, and that many curious and in need people
are being turned off of the raw food movement as a tool for health and
consciousness because they dont feel that it is trust worthy and
anything other than a hoax. Say whatever you want actually but let this
man know that you are not sheeple and will demand truth, integrity, and
quality ad will vote with your dollars. Lets not let one bad apple
spoil the beauty and truth of this lifestyle choice.
Fill up and
flood this mans email and voicemail with your voices!!!!
In
my opinion, Sunfood has lost the plot, and is completely out of
integrity and should not be supported in any manner and the word should
be spread like wild fire through the Superhero network.
I happily
provide you now with his private contact information.
DOUG
HARBISON
doug@sunfood.com
314-422-0206
Repost this on as
many forums as you can folks. Ready-Set-GO!!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh corn, taken off the cob. About 6 cobs worth or more.
Put in simmering water for a few minutes only, drain. (optional) I like the corn just a little softer than raw.
Add:
1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine
2 tsp garlic chopped fine, 2-3 cloves
2 peppers, one red, one orange, seeded and chopped fine
3 avocados, chopped chunky
2 limes, juiced
olive oil to taste
This is a lovely fresh salad that a friend just made. We've made it twice now-and it's great the next day for lunch too. You can wash big leaves of spinach and make little rollups if you want to go fancier for a luncheon.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Clearing the Large Intestine
Many people are encouraging the world to cleanse and detox, and if you decide to do it, be aware that we hold many emotions in our intestinal tract. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, angry, sad, or anxious while detoxing, it can be old emotions that are being revealed as you cleanse.
We used to call detoxing 'anger week' and realize that our feelings were not necessarily about anything in current time.
If you decide to cleanse and detox, allow yourself some grace and space. Don't do it on a busy stressful week. Do understand that as you cleanse inside your body, you are also stirring up emotions and feelings that have been buried. Tears and fears may come up. Let them roll through, and don't worry about what they are. Keep going.
You may also want to pay attention to your prescription meds. If you are on high blood pressure meds while juicing or cleansing your blood pressure may drop to normal so if you are taking meds you may then drop to LOW. Check with your doctor, and pay attention to how you feel.
We used to call detoxing 'anger week' and realize that our feelings were not necessarily about anything in current time.
If you decide to cleanse and detox, allow yourself some grace and space. Don't do it on a busy stressful week. Do understand that as you cleanse inside your body, you are also stirring up emotions and feelings that have been buried. Tears and fears may come up. Let them roll through, and don't worry about what they are. Keep going.
You may also want to pay attention to your prescription meds. If you are on high blood pressure meds while juicing or cleansing your blood pressure may drop to normal so if you are taking meds you may then drop to LOW. Check with your doctor, and pay attention to how you feel.
Raw-ish Quinoa salad
Red Quinoa - prepare whole box as on box
1 orange pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper chopped
apricots chopped-fresh or dried. Dried will last longer if you want to keep this to use several nights.
currants, raisins or fresh dark grapes, chopped in 4ths-my favorite both for color and freshness
1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine
lime juice-about 5 limes - fresh squeezed or juiced is best!
roasted pine nuts (lightly roasted in olive oil)
roasted sesame seeds (lightly roasted with pine nuts in olive oil)
chopped pecans (best if soaked and dried before chopping)
This is a great salad to make in volume and then put in smaller containers for lunch
Good consistency to use in lettuce rollups. It has a nice nutty flavor and texture.
I also like to use it with a dash of hot chili peppers for zip to the tongue
Friday, April 23, 2010
Juice for Health
3 carrots
1/2 a lemon
1 apple
(what's so green about this...? just wait)
3 stalks of celery
1/2 a head of lettuce
1/2 cucumber
2 leaves of cabbage
2 leaves of kale
1 cluster of spinach
a handful of cilantro
a twig of rosemary
an inch of ginger
I know this has alot of ingredients-I like variety. You definitely do NOT need all of it. The staples are the first 6 ingredients, and then wing it. It's all about experimenting.
People worry about combining fruit with vegetables: the rule doesn't count when juicing. You are juicing folks-juice all digests at the same rate. I have a friend that made wonderful juice with adding pear to her greens, and another made awesome green juice with mango.
I pour mine into two cups with lids and drink one on the way to work and keep the other on my desk for snacks. At lunch I am still full and have a power bar to snack on when I need a bite. I'm feeling high energy and satisfied and am almost ready to give up my coffee after being back on this for 2 weeks. I do also have two soft boiled eggs for breakfast, so it's not all raw for me. But this is a great way to transition into it. The more you have the more you want. I take a few lettuce leaves and some hummus with me for lunch too if I want more to eat. And I always keep an apple in my desk and some raw almonds. Sometimes they are soaked, sometimes not, but I have them there. Those are the staples.
Tips to starting raw:
keep the food handy
Do not let yourself get hungry
Be prepared
Eat any time you feel the urge. without guilt and without a schedule so you can begin to listen to your own body again
I think I'll go make some carrot juice for bedtime.
Night!
1/2 a lemon
1 apple
(what's so green about this...? just wait)
3 stalks of celery
1/2 a head of lettuce
1/2 cucumber
2 leaves of cabbage
2 leaves of kale
1 cluster of spinach
a handful of cilantro
a twig of rosemary
an inch of ginger
I know this has alot of ingredients-I like variety. You definitely do NOT need all of it. The staples are the first 6 ingredients, and then wing it. It's all about experimenting.
People worry about combining fruit with vegetables: the rule doesn't count when juicing. You are juicing folks-juice all digests at the same rate. I have a friend that made wonderful juice with adding pear to her greens, and another made awesome green juice with mango.
I pour mine into two cups with lids and drink one on the way to work and keep the other on my desk for snacks. At lunch I am still full and have a power bar to snack on when I need a bite. I'm feeling high energy and satisfied and am almost ready to give up my coffee after being back on this for 2 weeks. I do also have two soft boiled eggs for breakfast, so it's not all raw for me. But this is a great way to transition into it. The more you have the more you want. I take a few lettuce leaves and some hummus with me for lunch too if I want more to eat. And I always keep an apple in my desk and some raw almonds. Sometimes they are soaked, sometimes not, but I have them there. Those are the staples.
Tips to starting raw:
keep the food handy
Do not let yourself get hungry
Be prepared
Eat any time you feel the urge. without guilt and without a schedule so you can begin to listen to your own body again
I think I'll go make some carrot juice for bedtime.
Night!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Stevia for panic attacks
This is from a woman who used Stevia to cure panic attacks.
She stumbled upon this as a cure--she had a friend who had no clue that his symptoms were "panic attacks" (he wasn't raw) and he ended up in the hospital several times with no help from the doctors--many times he was told "we can find nothing wrong with you" and yet he thought he was literally about to die. When my friend (who has been raw for over 8 years) heard my story she thought it sounded so similar. I literally thought I was clinging to my life for hours. I could tell that some weird hormone or chemical was "dumping" itself at an uncontrollable speed and just would not stop. It feels like the same kind of feeling you might have when you experience an allergic reaction--that kind of sick rushing feeling, only it was a hundred times worse and would not stop until I had been lying in the hospital for a couple of hours. Yet the doctors came in and said, "your blood is the most beautiful blood we have seen--it is pristine and we can find nothing wrong with you"...oh yeah? Then why do I feel like I am dying? So my friend said that she thinks there is a physiological sort of panic attack, where your mind seems to not be in any state of panic whatsoever, yet the body goes into a panic. (I had been asleep for an hour when this thing happened to me, not thinking panicky thoughts at all.) She told me to try the stevia and it worked like an absolute miracle! The results were immediate! She also said that when her daughter gets severe PMS symptoms, she gives her 1/2 tsp of stevia with about that much powdered dong quai and it takes the symptoms away quick.
She stumbled upon this as a cure--she had a friend who had no clue that his symptoms were "panic attacks" (he wasn't raw) and he ended up in the hospital several times with no help from the doctors--many times he was told "we can find nothing wrong with you" and yet he thought he was literally about to die. When my friend (who has been raw for over 8 years) heard my story she thought it sounded so similar. I literally thought I was clinging to my life for hours. I could tell that some weird hormone or chemical was "dumping" itself at an uncontrollable speed and just would not stop. It feels like the same kind of feeling you might have when you experience an allergic reaction--that kind of sick rushing feeling, only it was a hundred times worse and would not stop until I had been lying in the hospital for a couple of hours. Yet the doctors came in and said, "your blood is the most beautiful blood we have seen--it is pristine and we can find nothing wrong with you"...oh yeah? Then why do I feel like I am dying? So my friend said that she thinks there is a physiological sort of panic attack, where your mind seems to not be in any state of panic whatsoever, yet the body goes into a panic. (I had been asleep for an hour when this thing happened to me, not thinking panicky thoughts at all.) She told me to try the stevia and it worked like an absolute miracle! The results were immediate! She also said that when her daughter gets severe PMS symptoms, she gives her 1/2 tsp of stevia with about that much powdered dong quai and it takes the symptoms away quick.
Sweetners
This was posted on the rawmeetup site.
Coconut Palm Sugar: This is now available as a sweetener. It is usually heat processed, yet unconfirmed reports indicate RAW coconut palm sugar is now available from Balinese sources. (Big Tree Organics and Essential Living Foods sell this) It is processed using lime (chalk) or mangosteen sap to neutralize acidity. Because of the calcification problems associated with eating chalk and the magic associated with the mangosteen tree, mangosteen sap processed coconut palm sugar is preferred.
Erythritol: Erythritol is made by breaking down plant starch into glucose. Then the yeast Moniliella pollinis is added to the glucose. Through fermentation, the glucose breaks down into erythritol. Metabolic, toxicological, and clinical studies covering areas as diverse as cancer, nervous system health, and allergic reactions have found erythritol to be safe. Erythritol has GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status in the United States. Seek out organic erythritol or products containing it.
Honey (raw, organic) is always the natural sweetener of choice. Look for wild honey because it is lower in fructose and higher in trace mineral content. Also, look for richer dark honeys (e.g. NoniLand honey, etc.)
Inulin: A long-chain polysaccharide that is mostly too long a sugar to absorb into the blood stream. Inulin may be isolated from Jerusalem artichoke or properly processed agave. Look for inulin powder or Jerusalem artichoke syrup. Too much inulin intake can cause digestive distress in certain people.
Lo Han Guo: A non-glycemic sweetener from Chinese medicinal tradition made from a type of wild cucumber.
Lucuma: Lucuma’s sugar content is low. The percentage amount present in the dried pulp from mature lucuma fruit is: 8.4% glucose, 4.7% fructose, 1.7% sucrose, and 0.06% inositol (http://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk/lucuma-powder).
Maple syrup: this is the only sustainably-harvested, large-scale, forest sweetener in the world. Maple is likely the richest source of minerals found in any sweetener other than dark honeys and molasses. Look for organic maple syrup and maple crystals as an ingredient.
Molasses: Select unsulfured, organic sugarcane molasses because it is fairly rich in vitamins and minerals and has been purported (like fresh sugar cane) to have “anti-stiffness factors” that break down detrimental calcification (see my book The LongevityNOW Program).
Soak water: This is a natural sweetener from dried fruits such as date water, goji water, or dried fig water. Shop for organic dried fruit products and soak them in spring water for several hours to make your own fresh soak water.
Stevia: I recommend dried powdered leaves over extracts. This is a wonderful and easy plant to grow. It contains no real sugar, so therefore it does not feed candida or cancer. Look for organic stevia products.
Xylitol: This could be the sweetener of the future if it could be obtained with certified organic quality. Xylitol does not feed candida or cancer, but tastes normally sweet. Originally isolated from birch syrup; it is now available as a white powder.
Yacon: An extraordinarily easy to obtain and abundant subtropical to tropical tuber, relative to the Jerusalem artichoke. Yacon is commonly available as dehydrated chips and as a syrup. Look for organic products. Yacon syrup is rich in iron and only mildly glycemic. It is not raw.
Other sweeteners to avoid, besides common agave:
Refined white and brown sugars made from beet, sorghum, or sugarcane of all sorts, primarily due to genetically modified crop contamination, including:
Evaporated Cane Juice: Rapadura is one of the many names of this highly processed and highly heated product. This is almost pure sucrose, like maple, but lacks in minerals. Evaporated cane juice is known to aggravate all sugar-sensitive conditions from diabetes to candida to cancer. Evaporated cane juice can be certified organic. This product often sneaks into chocolate products, pre-made smoothies, and lots of vegan treats (because it is not processed with bone char).
Sorbitol: This sweetener is typically made from genetically modified corn starch. It was originally isolated from stone fruits of the genus Sorbus.
Other Considerations
The market is flooded with companies and products using all different kinds of sweeteners. Always select products containing certified organic sweeteners due to potential contamination from genetically modified corn and other crops that may contain glufosinate herbicides that damage your friendly healthy bacteria. Remember that certified organic sweeteners cannot be genetically modified (GMO).
This post was cut from an article recently shared by David Wolfe. Its entire content can be found at Sacred Chocolates website.
To Your health.
Vanessa
Coconut Palm Sugar: This is now available as a sweetener. It is usually heat processed, yet unconfirmed reports indicate RAW coconut palm sugar is now available from Balinese sources. (Big Tree Organics and Essential Living Foods sell this) It is processed using lime (chalk) or mangosteen sap to neutralize acidity. Because of the calcification problems associated with eating chalk and the magic associated with the mangosteen tree, mangosteen sap processed coconut palm sugar is preferred.
Erythritol: Erythritol is made by breaking down plant starch into glucose. Then the yeast Moniliella pollinis is added to the glucose. Through fermentation, the glucose breaks down into erythritol. Metabolic, toxicological, and clinical studies covering areas as diverse as cancer, nervous system health, and allergic reactions have found erythritol to be safe. Erythritol has GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status in the United States. Seek out organic erythritol or products containing it.
Honey (raw, organic) is always the natural sweetener of choice. Look for wild honey because it is lower in fructose and higher in trace mineral content. Also, look for richer dark honeys (e.g. NoniLand honey, etc.)
Inulin: A long-chain polysaccharide that is mostly too long a sugar to absorb into the blood stream. Inulin may be isolated from Jerusalem artichoke or properly processed agave. Look for inulin powder or Jerusalem artichoke syrup. Too much inulin intake can cause digestive distress in certain people.
Lo Han Guo: A non-glycemic sweetener from Chinese medicinal tradition made from a type of wild cucumber.
Lucuma: Lucuma’s sugar content is low. The percentage amount present in the dried pulp from mature lucuma fruit is: 8.4% glucose, 4.7% fructose, 1.7% sucrose, and 0.06% inositol (http://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk/lucuma-powder).
Maple syrup: this is the only sustainably-harvested, large-scale, forest sweetener in the world. Maple is likely the richest source of minerals found in any sweetener other than dark honeys and molasses. Look for organic maple syrup and maple crystals as an ingredient.
Molasses: Select unsulfured, organic sugarcane molasses because it is fairly rich in vitamins and minerals and has been purported (like fresh sugar cane) to have “anti-stiffness factors” that break down detrimental calcification (see my book The LongevityNOW Program).
Soak water: This is a natural sweetener from dried fruits such as date water, goji water, or dried fig water. Shop for organic dried fruit products and soak them in spring water for several hours to make your own fresh soak water.
Stevia: I recommend dried powdered leaves over extracts. This is a wonderful and easy plant to grow. It contains no real sugar, so therefore it does not feed candida or cancer. Look for organic stevia products.
Xylitol: This could be the sweetener of the future if it could be obtained with certified organic quality. Xylitol does not feed candida or cancer, but tastes normally sweet. Originally isolated from birch syrup; it is now available as a white powder.
Yacon: An extraordinarily easy to obtain and abundant subtropical to tropical tuber, relative to the Jerusalem artichoke. Yacon is commonly available as dehydrated chips and as a syrup. Look for organic products. Yacon syrup is rich in iron and only mildly glycemic. It is not raw.
Other sweeteners to avoid, besides common agave:
Refined white and brown sugars made from beet, sorghum, or sugarcane of all sorts, primarily due to genetically modified crop contamination, including:
Evaporated Cane Juice: Rapadura is one of the many names of this highly processed and highly heated product. This is almost pure sucrose, like maple, but lacks in minerals. Evaporated cane juice is known to aggravate all sugar-sensitive conditions from diabetes to candida to cancer. Evaporated cane juice can be certified organic. This product often sneaks into chocolate products, pre-made smoothies, and lots of vegan treats (because it is not processed with bone char).
Sorbitol: This sweetener is typically made from genetically modified corn starch. It was originally isolated from stone fruits of the genus Sorbus.
Other Considerations
The market is flooded with companies and products using all different kinds of sweeteners. Always select products containing certified organic sweeteners due to potential contamination from genetically modified corn and other crops that may contain glufosinate herbicides that damage your friendly healthy bacteria. Remember that certified organic sweeteners cannot be genetically modified (GMO).
This post was cut from an article recently shared by David Wolfe. Its entire content can be found at Sacred Chocolates website.
To Your health.
Vanessa
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
It's not about Perfection
I hear so many people saying "I don't know what to eat!" "I'm so confused!"
Isn't it funny that we don't know what to eat? Imagine that! We have so many choices, such a constant banquet of choices, that we don't know what to eat! It's no longer about 'if' we will eat or where our next meal is going to come from-we have a new problem. Tooooo many choices.
We are bombarded constantly with commercials in print and on the tube, over the waves and in the air-eat eat eat. Diet diet diet. But which one?
When we originally started this blog, way back 3 years ago, we were all feeling that same way. Six of us. We were dietarily confused. Eat six meals a day. Graze. Eat 3 meals a day. Eat breakfast. Fast one day a week. Eat only fruit until noon. Don't eat fruit with anything. Eat meat. Eat chicken. Don't eat fish because of the poisoned oceans. Eat fish for the necessary omegas. Eat organic. Eat eggs. Don't eat yolks. Eat protein. Don't eat protein. Eat vegetarian. Eat vegan. Eat dairy. Don't eat dairy. Eat for health. Don't eat for more health. Eat for your blood type. Eat for your ethnic base. Eat Mediterranean, eat Chinese, eat Ayurvedic. Don't eat pork. Don't drink. Drink red wine. SHEESH.
We sat down and listed all the conflicting messages. We piled the books on the table of all the experts programs.
And then we decided to try raw for thirty days. Just a month, together, with a few rules for our group.
Rule #1. No perfectionism necessary. We figured 50% raw a day was better than what we were doing, 70% raw was amazing, and if we did 100% we were champs.
Rule #2. With lots of room in rule #1 our second rule was still, "no beating ourselves up" No failure, only feedback, write it down, and let everyone learn from it.
Rule #3. Notice. Notice how you feel before you eat. Notice what you really want. Notice how you feel after you eat. Notice what you notice.
Rule #4. Write on the blog so we can do it together and get in touch with our insides. Bloating and belching included.
Rule #5. Eat as much raw as you can, and if you have to eat cooked, don't eat processed if you can help it. We figured it was the chemicals and additives that were the real culprits, and if nothing else we would read labels and learn.
Pretty simple. What happened was pretty cool-by the end of 30 days, we decided to keep going. It was easy. It was remarkably easy. We found that we liked it more than cooking. There was less clean up.
We learned to marinate, soak, dehydrate. We learned to sprout. We played. We began to come back to loving food again.
I fell in love with food again. I delighted in the colors and the smells, the textures. Why had I lost the art of food? And when? Food had become a drudgery. I think there were too many new rules. I got lost
30 days of raw, on a gradually increasing plan taught me to listen to myself again. I cleared the decks. I found that i preferred soaked raw oatmeal with fresh juice on it and a dash of organic honey MORE than cooked oatmeal. I loved sprouts and I would moan over chopped fresh basil.
But we all loved juicing. Raw fresh homemade juice. If you do nothing else raw, buy a good juicer, and start adding a good big glass of raw juice every day.
This morning I made a juice from:
5 stalks of celery
5 carrots
half a head of romaine
a chunk of fresh ginger
half a lemon with the rind
an apple
half a bunch of spinach
I drank half, and took half to work with me for later. I also had 2 soft boiled eggs. I'm a type 0 and I know the controversy out there, but FOR ME I do better with more protein. So, purists out there, this works for me.
Now over the course of 3 years, we fell away, and came back. We would eat cooked and go yuk and when we fell off we would wonder why when we felt so good on the raw? On and off. On and off.
We are coming back to an on cycle and loving it once again and once again marveling that we fell off.
Bottom line-find out what works for YOU!
Find your rules for you. Fall in love with what you eat, bless it and it will bless you.
Whatever you eat, love it. Enjoy it. Relish in it. And if you don't, no matter who has told you it is good for you-it won't serve you until you love it for yourself and make it your choice.
To your health!
Isn't it funny that we don't know what to eat? Imagine that! We have so many choices, such a constant banquet of choices, that we don't know what to eat! It's no longer about 'if' we will eat or where our next meal is going to come from-we have a new problem. Tooooo many choices.
We are bombarded constantly with commercials in print and on the tube, over the waves and in the air-eat eat eat. Diet diet diet. But which one?
When we originally started this blog, way back 3 years ago, we were all feeling that same way. Six of us. We were dietarily confused. Eat six meals a day. Graze. Eat 3 meals a day. Eat breakfast. Fast one day a week. Eat only fruit until noon. Don't eat fruit with anything. Eat meat. Eat chicken. Don't eat fish because of the poisoned oceans. Eat fish for the necessary omegas. Eat organic. Eat eggs. Don't eat yolks. Eat protein. Don't eat protein. Eat vegetarian. Eat vegan. Eat dairy. Don't eat dairy. Eat for health. Don't eat for more health. Eat for your blood type. Eat for your ethnic base. Eat Mediterranean, eat Chinese, eat Ayurvedic. Don't eat pork. Don't drink. Drink red wine. SHEESH.
We sat down and listed all the conflicting messages. We piled the books on the table of all the experts programs.
And then we decided to try raw for thirty days. Just a month, together, with a few rules for our group.
Rule #1. No perfectionism necessary. We figured 50% raw a day was better than what we were doing, 70% raw was amazing, and if we did 100% we were champs.
Rule #2. With lots of room in rule #1 our second rule was still, "no beating ourselves up" No failure, only feedback, write it down, and let everyone learn from it.
Rule #3. Notice. Notice how you feel before you eat. Notice what you really want. Notice how you feel after you eat. Notice what you notice.
Rule #4. Write on the blog so we can do it together and get in touch with our insides. Bloating and belching included.
Rule #5. Eat as much raw as you can, and if you have to eat cooked, don't eat processed if you can help it. We figured it was the chemicals and additives that were the real culprits, and if nothing else we would read labels and learn.
Pretty simple. What happened was pretty cool-by the end of 30 days, we decided to keep going. It was easy. It was remarkably easy. We found that we liked it more than cooking. There was less clean up.
We learned to marinate, soak, dehydrate. We learned to sprout. We played. We began to come back to loving food again.
I fell in love with food again. I delighted in the colors and the smells, the textures. Why had I lost the art of food? And when? Food had become a drudgery. I think there were too many new rules. I got lost
30 days of raw, on a gradually increasing plan taught me to listen to myself again. I cleared the decks. I found that i preferred soaked raw oatmeal with fresh juice on it and a dash of organic honey MORE than cooked oatmeal. I loved sprouts and I would moan over chopped fresh basil.
But we all loved juicing. Raw fresh homemade juice. If you do nothing else raw, buy a good juicer, and start adding a good big glass of raw juice every day.
This morning I made a juice from:
5 stalks of celery
5 carrots
half a head of romaine
a chunk of fresh ginger
half a lemon with the rind
an apple
half a bunch of spinach
I drank half, and took half to work with me for later. I also had 2 soft boiled eggs. I'm a type 0 and I know the controversy out there, but FOR ME I do better with more protein. So, purists out there, this works for me.
Now over the course of 3 years, we fell away, and came back. We would eat cooked and go yuk and when we fell off we would wonder why when we felt so good on the raw? On and off. On and off.
We are coming back to an on cycle and loving it once again and once again marveling that we fell off.
Bottom line-find out what works for YOU!
Find your rules for you. Fall in love with what you eat, bless it and it will bless you.
Whatever you eat, love it. Enjoy it. Relish in it. And if you don't, no matter who has told you it is good for you-it won't serve you until you love it for yourself and make it your choice.
To your health!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Boost Testosterone Naturally
This is information that I thought some might be interested in. It was posted on the rawfood meetup group by Vanessa Johansson.
[rawfood-387] Boost Natural Testosterone ProductionMonday, April 19, 2010 4:12 PM
From: "Vanessa Johansson"Add sender to Contacts
To: rawfood-387-announce@meetup.com
. What are some plant foods that will support and increase my natural testosterone levels? Peace Love Joy~ Sandy
Protocol ...
1. Playing competitive sports has been shown to trigger testosterone production. In fact, women get a bigger boost than men prior to competition.
2. Making love boosts testosterone production in women.
3. Avoid Hops, Licorice, grapefruit, and flax as these are the highest estrogenic foods.
4. All pesticides herbicides, and plastics are estrogenic so throw out your plastic and stick to glass and organic.
5.Drink nettle root tea every day. You can buy it at Mountain Rose Herbs online and make your own brew wiht it. Nettle root inhibits the transformation of excess testosterone into estrogen.
6. Eat Pine Pollen extract twice a day. It is the highest natural testosterone containing food on the planet. I like Woodland Essence brand.
7. Add passionflower to your nettle root tea or take it as an extract. herb Pharm has a high quality one. Passionflower displaces estrogen out of receptor sites and makes room for testosterone.
8. Add ginseng root to your tea. Boil for at least one hour. very testosterone producing.
9. Eat Lions Mane mushroom extracts from Mushroom Sciences or from Host Defense.
10. Read my all time favorite Author.... Stephen Harrod Buhner. His book " The Natural Testosterone Plan: For Sexual Health and Energy" is a must read for anyone interested in longevity and health. testosterone is a longevity hormone and our society is massively estrogen dominant which leads to passivity, shorter life span, docility, and tons of female cancers, male pattern baldness, fat on the thighs and hips, and much more.
11. Anyone not married to a plant only diet would want to get onto Deer Antler. The best brand out there is Dragon Herbs. Colostrum from Surthrival would also be in order. Rememnber that plant foods are all estrogonic and loaded with phytoestrogens.
Anyone suffering from low libido will benefit greatly from all of these practices as well.
Best of luck to you as you follow the thread of your own Sovereign Authenticity.
To your health.
Vanessa
[rawfood-387] Boost Natural Testosterone ProductionMonday, April 19, 2010 4:12 PM
From: "Vanessa Johansson"
To: rawfood-387-announce@meetup.com
. What are some plant foods that will support and increase my natural testosterone levels? Peace Love Joy~ Sandy
Protocol ...
1. Playing competitive sports has been shown to trigger testosterone production. In fact, women get a bigger boost than men prior to competition.
2. Making love boosts testosterone production in women.
3. Avoid Hops, Licorice, grapefruit, and flax as these are the highest estrogenic foods.
4. All pesticides herbicides, and plastics are estrogenic so throw out your plastic and stick to glass and organic.
5.Drink nettle root tea every day. You can buy it at Mountain Rose Herbs online and make your own brew wiht it. Nettle root inhibits the transformation of excess testosterone into estrogen.
6. Eat Pine Pollen extract twice a day. It is the highest natural testosterone containing food on the planet. I like Woodland Essence brand.
7. Add passionflower to your nettle root tea or take it as an extract. herb Pharm has a high quality one. Passionflower displaces estrogen out of receptor sites and makes room for testosterone.
8. Add ginseng root to your tea. Boil for at least one hour. very testosterone producing.
9. Eat Lions Mane mushroom extracts from Mushroom Sciences or from Host Defense.
10. Read my all time favorite Author.... Stephen Harrod Buhner. His book " The Natural Testosterone Plan: For Sexual Health and Energy" is a must read for anyone interested in longevity and health. testosterone is a longevity hormone and our society is massively estrogen dominant which leads to passivity, shorter life span, docility, and tons of female cancers, male pattern baldness, fat on the thighs and hips, and much more.
11. Anyone not married to a plant only diet would want to get onto Deer Antler. The best brand out there is Dragon Herbs. Colostrum from Surthrival would also be in order. Rememnber that plant foods are all estrogonic and loaded with phytoestrogens.
Anyone suffering from low libido will benefit greatly from all of these practices as well.
Best of luck to you as you follow the thread of your own Sovereign Authenticity.
To your health.
Vanessa
Friday, April 9, 2010
Crackers
I made some crackers that I thought were my first successful crackers in several attempts.
Two ears of corn off the cob, small red pepper, wedge of purple onion, clove of garlic, salt, pepper all blended well in the food processor.
Add a cup of flax seeds that have been soaked for about twenty minutes or until they are slimy. Drain the flax seeds and add to processor and mix again.
Place on dehydrator sheets about 1/4" thick and dry on 105 for about 12 hours, turn over and 12 hours more until dry.
Great with raw cheddar cheese and avocado bits.
Two ears of corn off the cob, small red pepper, wedge of purple onion, clove of garlic, salt, pepper all blended well in the food processor.
Add a cup of flax seeds that have been soaked for about twenty minutes or until they are slimy. Drain the flax seeds and add to processor and mix again.
Place on dehydrator sheets about 1/4" thick and dry on 105 for about 12 hours, turn over and 12 hours more until dry.
Great with raw cheddar cheese and avocado bits.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Foreign fish not safe for consumption
For those of us that eat fish-take a look at this and be informed.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Nut milks
I got this off a website and I wish I could remember which one so I could give them credit. but I don't.
RECIPES: Live Nut Milk
Making nut milk is easy and very satisfying. If you drink soy milk or another boxed milk product, you'll never go back after making one of these nut milks.
Live Nut or Seed Milk
For Almond Milk
1 cup soaked almonds
For Hazelnut Milk
1 cup raw hazelnuts (hazelnuts don't contain enzyme inhibitors so you don't have to soak them)
For Brazil Nut Milk
1 cup raw Brazil nuts (Brazil nuts don't contain enzyme inhibitors so you don't have to soak them)
For Hemp Seed Milk
3/4 cup raw hemp seeds
Sweetener: 2-3 dates, or 2 Tbsp honey, maple syrup or agave nectar (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Soak your almonds in filtered water for 12 hours; drain, rinse, and dry.
Place your drained nuts, seeds or combination of nuts and seeds (almond and hemp are nice together) in your blender.
Add 2-3 cups of filtered water, a pinch of salt, your desired sweetener and vanilla.
Blend on high until the nuts are completely broken down. Don't over-blend as the friction from the blender will create heat. For small batches, I use a Braun hand blender.
Pour your milk through a nut milk bag or strainer and squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible.
You now have a delicious fresh nut milk to enjoy on its own, with granola or in a smoothie in place of dairy.
Note: Unsweetened pulp is delicious added to hummus or baba ganoush. Don't throw it away; freeze it!
RECIPES: Live Nut Milk
Making nut milk is easy and very satisfying. If you drink soy milk or another boxed milk product, you'll never go back after making one of these nut milks.
Live Nut or Seed Milk
For Almond Milk
1 cup soaked almonds
For Hazelnut Milk
1 cup raw hazelnuts (hazelnuts don't contain enzyme inhibitors so you don't have to soak them)
For Brazil Nut Milk
1 cup raw Brazil nuts (Brazil nuts don't contain enzyme inhibitors so you don't have to soak them)
For Hemp Seed Milk
3/4 cup raw hemp seeds
Sweetener: 2-3 dates, or 2 Tbsp honey, maple syrup or agave nectar (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Soak your almonds in filtered water for 12 hours; drain, rinse, and dry.
Place your drained nuts, seeds or combination of nuts and seeds (almond and hemp are nice together) in your blender.
Add 2-3 cups of filtered water, a pinch of salt, your desired sweetener and vanilla.
Blend on high until the nuts are completely broken down. Don't over-blend as the friction from the blender will create heat. For small batches, I use a Braun hand blender.
Pour your milk through a nut milk bag or strainer and squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible.
You now have a delicious fresh nut milk to enjoy on its own, with granola or in a smoothie in place of dairy.
Note: Unsweetened pulp is delicious added to hummus or baba ganoush. Don't throw it away; freeze it!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Raw Relish for lunch
This is a favorite raw rollup-and it works great as a take-to-work lunch.
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1/2 red onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
10 red grapes, cut in quarters
1 firm roma tomato, chopped fine
add: a pinch of sea salt, a sprinkle of pepper
I like to add cayenne pepper for some kick, of course
if you have some pineapple, that works nicely too.
10 large romaine lettuce leaves, washed and whole.
fill with relish, sprinkle with sesame seeds and eat!
These look so pretty too.
Note: I had a can of organic chopped tomatoes and added these instead of fresh-note: don't do it again.
They are too mushy. Use fresh ingredients.
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1/2 red onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
10 red grapes, cut in quarters
1 firm roma tomato, chopped fine
add: a pinch of sea salt, a sprinkle of pepper
I like to add cayenne pepper for some kick, of course
if you have some pineapple, that works nicely too.
10 large romaine lettuce leaves, washed and whole.
fill with relish, sprinkle with sesame seeds and eat!
These look so pretty too.
Note: I had a can of organic chopped tomatoes and added these instead of fresh-note: don't do it again.
They are too mushy. Use fresh ingredients.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Am I low in Vitamin A?!
If you suddenly start noticing eye and skin issues that you haven't had before, you might be low in Vitamin A.
Dry eyes, itchy eyes, inflamed eyes, blurred vision, night blindness, dry skin, itchy skin, bumpy skin can all be indications you need to increase your Vitamin A foods for awhile.
Foods high in Vitamin A:
Dry eyes, itchy eyes, inflamed eyes, blurred vision, night blindness, dry skin, itchy skin, bumpy skin can all be indications you need to increase your Vitamin A foods for awhile.
Foods high in Vitamin A:
- liver
- sweet potatos
- carrots
- mangoes
- spinach
- cantaloupe
- dried apricots
- milk
- egg yolks
- mozzarella cheese
think ORANGE for vitamin A!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Another Reason
I read that 50% of all the anitbiotics sold in the USA are given to farmers/ranchers for their livestock. Cows, pigs, chickens, so that they grow strong and healthy. Europe already won't take our meat. This is why.
That means that even if we don't medicate ourselves-we are still getting the antibiotics via our non-organic meats.
ANOTHER REASON to buy organic!
I had a funny thought-what if the Judaic mandate to eat kosher and not eat pork is really a message from the future (via the biblical writings) passed down to us so that 2000 years later we don't eat pork and we don't eat non-organic.
Kosher means blessed. Right? Bless our food. Blessing changes the frequency.
So, what if the future bacterial or viral bug that potentially wipes out the human race is a crossover from pigs? All virus's begin in an animal host and mutate to humans. Wow! If we are eating pork that has been given antibiotics, we might potentially be creating an internal system that will be unable to combat the future virus!
Ok-enough of the science fiction for this Sunday morning. Happy Valentine's day everyone.
Of course, if you are doing 'raw' then you are not eating meat...except fish perhaps? Remember to buy organic eggs, for the same reason.
Do we have to eat organic for everything? No. Grapes and Apples are the most heavily pesticided produce.
But anything you can peel, you can buy conventional-unless someone else has a reason ? Let us know your thoughts.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A post from Salt Lake City Raw Group
This is a post from the message board of the Salt Lake City Raw Superheros group. The title was do you need another reason to buy organic. This so grosses me out.
D.Lindsey Berkson, a bioenvironmentalist educated at Tulane University, adds a chilling note in her must read book " Hormone Deception" in which she cites a shocking Associated press story. It seems that toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, along with dioxins and radio active waste from a nearby uranium processing plant is licensed as a commercial fertilizer and sprayed over 9,000 acresof grazing land, where it makes its way into the livestock eating the newly fertilized grass. Although many other industrilaized nations regulate the use of fertilizers, the United States does not, which means that medical, municipal, and industrial waste is routinely spread over the ground where our crops grow and where cattle graze. Municipal sewage systems alone, says berkson, sell some 36 percent of their 11.6 billion pounds of waste materials to farmers looking for fertilizers. Holy nastyness.
So the issue clearly becomes, how do you wnat to pay? Up front wiht the Organic price tag, or aorund the back door with your health, your sanity, the future of our species, and your life in its entirety. Fort me its a no brainer. I am thankful that the option to pay up front even exists, and I encourage you to do the same.
Spread the truth and fight truth decay!!!!!
I found on this site there is another raw store at 389 W 1700 south called Cali's. I haven't checked it out yet. It is a local owner.
D.Lindsey Berkson, a bioenvironmentalist educated at Tulane University, adds a chilling note in her must read book " Hormone Deception" in which she cites a shocking Associated press story. It seems that toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, along with dioxins and radio active waste from a nearby uranium processing plant is licensed as a commercial fertilizer and sprayed over 9,000 acresof grazing land, where it makes its way into the livestock eating the newly fertilized grass. Although many other industrilaized nations regulate the use of fertilizers, the United States does not, which means that medical, municipal, and industrial waste is routinely spread over the ground where our crops grow and where cattle graze. Municipal sewage systems alone, says berkson, sell some 36 percent of their 11.6 billion pounds of waste materials to farmers looking for fertilizers. Holy nastyness.
So the issue clearly becomes, how do you wnat to pay? Up front wiht the Organic price tag, or aorund the back door with your health, your sanity, the future of our species, and your life in its entirety. Fort me its a no brainer. I am thankful that the option to pay up front even exists, and I encourage you to do the same.
Spread the truth and fight truth decay!!!!!
I found on this site there is another raw store at 389 W 1700 south called Cali's. I haven't checked it out yet. It is a local owner.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Smoked PEPPERED Mackerel
If you haven't tried this, and you like fish of course, try! It's in Whole Foods, by the meat section, hanging by the coolers. It is peppered and smoked and not raw, but yum!
Have it in lettuce roll ups for the rawish part, with some shredded cabbage and cilantro lime dressing?
I had it with cream cheese-also not raw, and then rolled in big dark leaves of ruffled lettuce. Ok-it's the holidays. I find that I have to break out into wildness every now and then, and smoked fish is so high in omegas that I figure it's only good for us!
Have it in lettuce roll ups for the rawish part, with some shredded cabbage and cilantro lime dressing?
I had it with cream cheese-also not raw, and then rolled in big dark leaves of ruffled lettuce. Ok-it's the holidays. I find that I have to break out into wildness every now and then, and smoked fish is so high in omegas that I figure it's only good for us!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Kale Crackers
I just had some great crackers that are raw! She dipped kale pieces in a mixture of garlic, olive oil and tomatoes that had gone in the blender until smooth.
Lay on trays in the dehydrator and dry for 10 hours.
They are tasty and light and quite healthy! Yet another way to put Kale to good use and a great alternative to fried or baked potato chips.
Lay on trays in the dehydrator and dry for 10 hours.
They are tasty and light and quite healthy! Yet another way to put Kale to good use and a great alternative to fried or baked potato chips.
Monday, November 9, 2009
More fear marketing-hand sanitizers
I'm amazed at the plethora of hand sanitizers that have sprung up everywhere. You can wipe the handles of everything before you touch it. Heaven forbid you should touch something that someone else has.
Now folks, does this even make sense? Can you REALLY accomplish this? Can you? You are in a world populated by others. So we have automatic doors, automatic flushing toilets, automatic water taps. We have automatic paper dispensers. Pretty interesting. I watch people trying to open doors with their elbows! Good trick if you can do it.
Do you ever watch yourself? Do it for one day. Where is your FEAR?
My son was just telling me that last year in high school they did an experiment: hand sanitizer vs bar soap. He was the test dummy. He scrubbed his hands with soap. They took a skin scraping. He walked around the room for a few minutes, came back and they took another skin scraping. He made sure he touched things, just behaved normally for about 15 minutes. Then a third after another scrub.
Then he used hand sanitizer and did the same thing. Skin scraping right after the sanitizer, then walked around, touched things as normal for 15 minutes, then another skin scraping, a third after that.
While they all knew the ads-hand sanitizer destroys 99.9% of the bacteria, that was not a surprise, or as it turns out, was it a lie. It does kill all the bacteria-including the good that is a protective barrier and meant to stop the majority of bad bacteria from getting further into our system!
We are a symbiotic ecosystem-we are meant to have good bacteria on our skin, just like we are meant to have good bacteria in our intestinal tract. They keep us healthy. Get over the advertising that bacteria is the bad guy. It's not.
Here were their results:
These high school kids discovered that when you use regular soap, you kill the bad bacteria, and you keep the good bacteria. They saw it for themselves under the microscope.
When you use hand sanitizer, you destroy all the bacteria, and then when you touch something else you double the exposure to bad bacteria-with no protective barrier in place to stop them.
He mentioned casually "whoa was there a lot of bad bacteria then!" I smiled.
In other words the more you use hand sanitizers, the more you destroy your own ecosystem, your own defenses. It's like saying because you have soldiers with bows and arrows all around the castle walls, you can open the gates and lower the draw bridge.
I've never been a germ-a-phob. I figure we live in this world. Stuff drops on the floor. I have animals. We live with them. That means our energy mingles, our life force mingles, and our germs mingle. While I don't kiss my dog on the lips, and ew I don't like her to lick my face either, I'm not overly concerned about methodically washing my hands at every contact. With her or with the world. Germs are just germs. And btw, we are an extremely healthy family. Always have been.
Come into right relationship with your world, and you will be fine. Really. You want strong healthy kids-STOP using sanitizer on everything. Let them get dirty for goodness sake. They will strengthen their immune system through everyday life. Being a 'good mom' does not mean making your children live in an antiseptic world. And fanatically scrubbing everything down only gives them the vibrational message that the world is not their friend. Is that the message you want them to have?
Let's look at this another way:
Vaccines are about 'exposure' in order to build up an immunity.
Why would we not get the same benefits from building up our natural immunity to germs? They can't have it both ways. Oh wait. yes they can. It's called fear marketing.
We're getting marketed into the benefits of vaccinations, but we are are being reverse marketed about germs. We aren't in a battle with germs. In many cases, bacteria are our friends. Folks, touch your world. Get into it! You'll get stronger for it.
Now folks, does this even make sense? Can you REALLY accomplish this? Can you? You are in a world populated by others. So we have automatic doors, automatic flushing toilets, automatic water taps. We have automatic paper dispensers. Pretty interesting. I watch people trying to open doors with their elbows! Good trick if you can do it.
Do you ever watch yourself? Do it for one day. Where is your FEAR?
My son was just telling me that last year in high school they did an experiment: hand sanitizer vs bar soap. He was the test dummy. He scrubbed his hands with soap. They took a skin scraping. He walked around the room for a few minutes, came back and they took another skin scraping. He made sure he touched things, just behaved normally for about 15 minutes. Then a third after another scrub.
Then he used hand sanitizer and did the same thing. Skin scraping right after the sanitizer, then walked around, touched things as normal for 15 minutes, then another skin scraping, a third after that.
While they all knew the ads-hand sanitizer destroys 99.9% of the bacteria, that was not a surprise, or as it turns out, was it a lie. It does kill all the bacteria-including the good that is a protective barrier and meant to stop the majority of bad bacteria from getting further into our system!
We are a symbiotic ecosystem-we are meant to have good bacteria on our skin, just like we are meant to have good bacteria in our intestinal tract. They keep us healthy. Get over the advertising that bacteria is the bad guy. It's not.
Here were their results:
These high school kids discovered that when you use regular soap, you kill the bad bacteria, and you keep the good bacteria. They saw it for themselves under the microscope.
When you use hand sanitizer, you destroy all the bacteria, and then when you touch something else you double the exposure to bad bacteria-with no protective barrier in place to stop them.
He mentioned casually "whoa was there a lot of bad bacteria then!" I smiled.
In other words the more you use hand sanitizers, the more you destroy your own ecosystem, your own defenses. It's like saying because you have soldiers with bows and arrows all around the castle walls, you can open the gates and lower the draw bridge.
I've never been a germ-a-phob. I figure we live in this world. Stuff drops on the floor. I have animals. We live with them. That means our energy mingles, our life force mingles, and our germs mingle. While I don't kiss my dog on the lips, and ew I don't like her to lick my face either, I'm not overly concerned about methodically washing my hands at every contact. With her or with the world. Germs are just germs. And btw, we are an extremely healthy family. Always have been.
Come into right relationship with your world, and you will be fine. Really. You want strong healthy kids-STOP using sanitizer on everything. Let them get dirty for goodness sake. They will strengthen their immune system through everyday life. Being a 'good mom' does not mean making your children live in an antiseptic world. And fanatically scrubbing everything down only gives them the vibrational message that the world is not their friend. Is that the message you want them to have?
Let's look at this another way:
Vaccines are about 'exposure' in order to build up an immunity.
Why would we not get the same benefits from building up our natural immunity to germs? They can't have it both ways. Oh wait. yes they can. It's called fear marketing.
We're getting marketed into the benefits of vaccinations, but we are are being reverse marketed about germs. We aren't in a battle with germs. In many cases, bacteria are our friends. Folks, touch your world. Get into it! You'll get stronger for it.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Raw ish - Fast Breakfast
1/2 avocado, cubed
1/2 tomato, chunked
1 cup cabbage, fermented overnight in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs sesame seeds
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
s&p
Here's the raw-ish
1 hardboiled egg chopped
Or the vegan option is always cubed tofu.
Add a touch more balsamic and oil if you like it wetter. Toss and eat!
Enjoy!
1/2 tomato, chunked
1 cup cabbage, fermented overnight in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs sesame seeds
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
s&p
Here's the raw-ish
1 hardboiled egg chopped
Or the vegan option is always cubed tofu.
Add a touch more balsamic and oil if you like it wetter. Toss and eat!
Enjoy!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Liver Detox
Many of my friends that were in Mexico with me last week have reported they were quite sick when they got home!
I told them my remedy and I will say I didn't get sick. I felt a bit off but I thought it was the traveling.
I also didn't eat the fruit on the beach the last day. Maybe that was it?
Here are my home remedies that I swear by, and I took them while there too.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin D, and zinc. I take it all at the first feeling of a bit under the weather. All of these boost our own immune system so that it can do what it needs to do.
I also did the green juice when I got home, and I made some detox soup.
1 can of stewed tomatoes, or 5-8 fresh tomatoes, quartered and mashed
1 can of water
2 tbs chopped garlic
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
3-4 stalks celery chopped
1 bumch kale, washed and chopped into 1" pieces
1 bag baby spinach, washed and chopped into 1" pieces
1 good handful of fresh cilantro, washed and chopped
Put it all in a pot and put it on low. Cook until all the vegetables are soft.
Add salt, pepper, cayenne.
This is a great detox. Make it anytime you feel a bit punkish. It will clear your system out!
If you want more flavor, add some bullion. Vegetable miso or chicken work best.
I told them my remedy and I will say I didn't get sick. I felt a bit off but I thought it was the traveling.
I also didn't eat the fruit on the beach the last day. Maybe that was it?
Here are my home remedies that I swear by, and I took them while there too.
Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin D, and zinc. I take it all at the first feeling of a bit under the weather. All of these boost our own immune system so that it can do what it needs to do.
I also did the green juice when I got home, and I made some detox soup.
1 can of stewed tomatoes, or 5-8 fresh tomatoes, quartered and mashed
1 can of water
2 tbs chopped garlic
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
3-4 stalks celery chopped
1 bumch kale, washed and chopped into 1" pieces
1 bag baby spinach, washed and chopped into 1" pieces
1 good handful of fresh cilantro, washed and chopped
Put it all in a pot and put it on low. Cook until all the vegetables are soft.
Add salt, pepper, cayenne.
This is a great detox. Make it anytime you feel a bit punkish. It will clear your system out!
If you want more flavor, add some bullion. Vegetable miso or chicken work best.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Raw Juice To Start Every Day
Fresh raw juice is the best, most nutritious, easiest to assimilate food you can have! It feeds you. And it feeds you on multiple levels. It has rich color, flavor, smell, and taste. So why isn't everyone doing it?!
Night time tonic:
2-3 apples, washed and quartered. When it comes to apples, organic is best
5-6 stalks celery
1/2 lemon
1 inch of ginger
Juice it and drink it before bed for a tonic that will improve your sleep and end your day the right way.
Night time tonic:
2-3 apples, washed and quartered. When it comes to apples, organic is best
5-6 stalks celery
1/2 lemon
1 inch of ginger
Juice it and drink it before bed for a tonic that will improve your sleep and end your day the right way.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Corn Tortillas are a great alternative
Did you know that a corn tortilla - a little one, only has 32 calories? Or 58. Or 62. It depends on the brand and the size. But overall, if you have a corn tortilla instead of bread, it's a big savings. That's if you are looking for alternatives. You can have raw ingredients with it. Shredded cabbage, fresh salsa, sliced avocado. Yum! My current favorite.
They are great for fish too-if you are doing fish...
They are great for fish too-if you are doing fish...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Raw-ish Spinach. tomatoes and white beans over pasta
Fresh ingredients:
Tomatoes-chopped
Spinach-torn into pieces
1 onion-chopped fine
2-4 cloves, chopped fine
1/2 bundle parsley-chopped
4 leaves basil-chopped
salt and pepper
cayenne or hot pepper flakes
I can white beans, rinsed and drained
In a wok pan saute the onion, garlic and tomatoes and spices in a splash of olive oil until soft
Add the beans to warm them
add the fresh spinach and stir until it's wilted
Cook angel hair pasta until soft, and drain
top servings with mixture and add parmesan cheese (unless you're vegan)
and eat!
You can use quinoa pasta or bean pasta if you want to opt out of gluten too.
Tomatoes-chopped
Spinach-torn into pieces
1 onion-chopped fine
2-4 cloves, chopped fine
1/2 bundle parsley-chopped
4 leaves basil-chopped
salt and pepper
cayenne or hot pepper flakes
I can white beans, rinsed and drained
In a wok pan saute the onion, garlic and tomatoes and spices in a splash of olive oil until soft
Add the beans to warm them
add the fresh spinach and stir until it's wilted
Cook angel hair pasta until soft, and drain
top servings with mixture and add parmesan cheese (unless you're vegan)
and eat!
You can use quinoa pasta or bean pasta if you want to opt out of gluten too.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Raw - Marinated Cucumbers
Since we are all entering harvest time, here's a fast raw favorite of ours:
Peel and Slice 1-2 cucumbers. Make slices about 1/4"
Add:
1/3 Cup olive oil
1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
(this are aprox. I splash it in so bare with me on this one)
2 tsp garlic
Juice of one fresh lemon
salt and pepper.
Fresh chopped: basil.
Yes, we use both the vinegar and lemon, but you can use one or the other.
This saves for a few days-if there are any left, so we do usually make extra.
They are great alone as a side dish or add them to the top of any salad.
Take them to work because marinated doesn't need to be refrigerated!
If you take your salad in one container, without dressing, take the cucs in a separate one and add them as the dressing.
Variation:
we add crumbled feta cheese at serving, and sliced olives for a greek flare!
Variation #2:
Add sliced red tomatoes to the cucumbers before marinating so they are both steeped in the dressing
Peel and Slice 1-2 cucumbers. Make slices about 1/4"
Add:
1/3 Cup olive oil
1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
(this are aprox. I splash it in so bare with me on this one)
2 tsp garlic
Juice of one fresh lemon
salt and pepper.
Fresh chopped: basil.
Yes, we use both the vinegar and lemon, but you can use one or the other.
This saves for a few days-if there are any left, so we do usually make extra.
They are great alone as a side dish or add them to the top of any salad.
Take them to work because marinated doesn't need to be refrigerated!
If you take your salad in one container, without dressing, take the cucs in a separate one and add them as the dressing.
Variation:
we add crumbled feta cheese at serving, and sliced olives for a greek flare!
Variation #2:
Add sliced red tomatoes to the cucumbers before marinating so they are both steeped in the dressing
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Raw - Stuffed Tomatoes
6 nice big fat deep red fresh tomatoes! This is the season for them!
Cut off the tops and core them scooping, out the insides so you have tomato cups
save the insides, chop and mix with:
1/3 c each: onion, celery, finely chopped
jalapeno pepper chopped - to taste. If you like it spicy add more.
fresh basil leaves-finely chopped, *I use about 1 big leaf per tomato
I cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped mango
salt and pepper
juice of 1 fresh lemon
a splash or two of olive oil
Mix all ingredients and stuff into the tomatoes until they are heaped full! Garnish with a sprig of parsley and a serve with wedges of fresh lemon or lime and pita bread and more mango!
This is another great on-the-go lunch recipe!
Cut off the tops and core them scooping, out the insides so you have tomato cups
save the insides, chop and mix with:
1/3 c each: onion, celery, finely chopped
jalapeno pepper chopped - to taste. If you like it spicy add more.
fresh basil leaves-finely chopped, *I use about 1 big leaf per tomato
I cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped mango
salt and pepper
juice of 1 fresh lemon
a splash or two of olive oil
Mix all ingredients and stuff into the tomatoes until they are heaped full! Garnish with a sprig of parsley and a serve with wedges of fresh lemon or lime and pita bread and more mango!
This is another great on-the-go lunch recipe!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Rawish-salmon spread
This isn't raw-technically. I use a large can of alaskan salmon...but it IS raw-ish and salmon is chock full of omega 3s for great brain function!
I make this and keep it on hand, sometimes I'll freeze half for another time too. As you can see, the recipe varies with what I have on hand
1 large can alaskan salmon, drained. Flake with a fork and mash so any tiny bones are dissolved up
1/2 onion chopped fine
1/2 gr pepper chopped fine (or red, or yellow)
1/2 c edamame or green peas
chopped fresh: parsley, cilantro, oregano and basil
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
parmesan cheese
toasted pine nuts (or leave em raw too)
mix up and add a splash of olive oil, a good swig of red wine vinegar, and the juice of a whole lemon
I don't add mayo but I suppose you could if you like it
ANd we like it hot, so the pepper flakes, jalapeno peppers and a sprinkle of cayenne go in for us.
Toast corn tortillas in oil until crispy and then fill with this mixture, top with shredded cabbage and a squeeze of fresh lime before eating!
You can use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas but of course!
This is one of those "even better the next day" so it's great to make enough for lunch the next day too.
I make this and keep it on hand, sometimes I'll freeze half for another time too. As you can see, the recipe varies with what I have on hand
1 large can alaskan salmon, drained. Flake with a fork and mash so any tiny bones are dissolved up
1/2 onion chopped fine
1/2 gr pepper chopped fine (or red, or yellow)
1/2 c edamame or green peas
chopped fresh: parsley, cilantro, oregano and basil
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
parmesan cheese
toasted pine nuts (or leave em raw too)
mix up and add a splash of olive oil, a good swig of red wine vinegar, and the juice of a whole lemon
I don't add mayo but I suppose you could if you like it
ANd we like it hot, so the pepper flakes, jalapeno peppers and a sprinkle of cayenne go in for us.
Toast corn tortillas in oil until crispy and then fill with this mixture, top with shredded cabbage and a squeeze of fresh lime before eating!
You can use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas but of course!
This is one of those "even better the next day" so it's great to make enough for lunch the next day too.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Healthy Lunchtime Eats
Lima Beans Greco
1 bag dried lima beans-soak overnight in cold water, rinse and drain when time to cook. Boil in water until soft. Drain. Remove any loose skins that have separated.
olive oil
red wine vinegar
fresh lemon juice-at least 1 lemon
oregano, basil, parsley (fresh if you have them in the garden-yum!)
hot chili peppers (if you like hot!)
cayenne
salt, pepper
garlic-as much as you like and we like it
add what you have, and here are some we've liked:
onion-chopped fine
celery-chopped fine
carrot-julienne slices
mushrooms-sliced
parmesan cheese or other dry cheese, grated
sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or even chopped walnuts (whatever you have works!)
Toss it all together and let it steep overnight for great second day flavor.
This holds for days, and gets better and better.
You can: eat it on a salad, put it in lettuce rolls, stuff a tortilla. You can have it as a side dish or all alone. This doesn't last long in our house!
This is a taste and test recipe, so allow yourself to play with the spices and go for color and splash!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Raw-ish
When we started our journey into raw food land, we decided to do 'raw-ish'. We thought we'd aim at 100% and hit closer to 70% and figured that 70% was still better than what we were doing.
It worked for us, but I don't tend to be an extremist with anything. My motto is pretty tolerant of all views, and walks and usually I say 'try it for yourself' because I do firmly believe that no one thing will work for everyone. That includes raw. That includes vege, and vegan.
It's not true that eating raw or vegan will make you happier, nicer or more spiritual. If someone tells you that you 'have to' do anything special to connect to God, walk on. Eating nothing but raw food can make you feel good, and if you do it long enough without the right additional nutrient support, you can feel drained and not good. it's true. Sorry.
The very very bottom line is LISTEN TO YOURSELF, be your own TRUTH, and come into right relationship with YOU. If your body wants an egg, or a steak or a hunk of liver tonight, it well could be that it is craving the nutrients in those foods. Going with your body instead of villifying the body will do alot for your health in general!
We've been working on identifying our food beliefs, and frankly, thanks to the wonderful world of marketing, we have tons! Did you know that the average American woman is 5'5" tall, and weighs 152 lbs and wears a size 12? Yep. That's the American average. Do you know that the American average in the 1950s was...a size 12? When Lucille Ball was doing her show in black and white, those were the stats. Size 12.
The media has thrown us into a frenzied hype that we are all hopeless hippos but the truth is we are about the same. We have more fears of food than ever before. We have more processing of foods, engineering of foods, food research and interestingly more allergies than ever before.
Eat what you want. Bless it, which means bring your intention and attention to what you are about to eat. Slow down, sit down and make it a special time-not in the car, not on the run. Pay attention to the color, the smell, the taste, and whatever you eat, savor it.
Let whatever you eat really feed you! ALL of you!
It worked for us, but I don't tend to be an extremist with anything. My motto is pretty tolerant of all views, and walks and usually I say 'try it for yourself' because I do firmly believe that no one thing will work for everyone. That includes raw. That includes vege, and vegan.
It's not true that eating raw or vegan will make you happier, nicer or more spiritual. If someone tells you that you 'have to' do anything special to connect to God, walk on. Eating nothing but raw food can make you feel good, and if you do it long enough without the right additional nutrient support, you can feel drained and not good. it's true. Sorry.
The very very bottom line is LISTEN TO YOURSELF, be your own TRUTH, and come into right relationship with YOU. If your body wants an egg, or a steak or a hunk of liver tonight, it well could be that it is craving the nutrients in those foods. Going with your body instead of villifying the body will do alot for your health in general!
We've been working on identifying our food beliefs, and frankly, thanks to the wonderful world of marketing, we have tons! Did you know that the average American woman is 5'5" tall, and weighs 152 lbs and wears a size 12? Yep. That's the American average. Do you know that the American average in the 1950s was...a size 12? When Lucille Ball was doing her show in black and white, those were the stats. Size 12.
The media has thrown us into a frenzied hype that we are all hopeless hippos but the truth is we are about the same. We have more fears of food than ever before. We have more processing of foods, engineering of foods, food research and interestingly more allergies than ever before.
Eat what you want. Bless it, which means bring your intention and attention to what you are about to eat. Slow down, sit down and make it a special time-not in the car, not on the run. Pay attention to the color, the smell, the taste, and whatever you eat, savor it.
Let whatever you eat really feed you! ALL of you!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Why do you eat what you eat?
I'm curious-
What drives us to eat and which foods do we reach for?
How much of what we eat is pure marketing?
Commercials, advertisements, articles, labels.
Friends, memories, unconscious associations.
Do you eat eggs?
Are they organic?
Free range?
Regular?
Are they egg substitute?
Do you do tofu scramblers?
Do you only eat the whites?
Do you limit the number you eat, and why, if you do? In other words - where did you get the belief, and how is that working for ya?
Post a comment-but add why you've chosen it, and how you came to that conclusion.
Hope you will all play!
Slo-food, raw food, is mindful food, coming back to nature is coming back to our minds.
What field of intent do you hold in your mind when it comes to your food?
What field of intent do you hold when you prepare your food?
What field of intent do you hold when you eat your food?
What is your food field, and is there fear, guilt, anger, pain when you eat?
IF so, in any way, you are eating those emotions. Dangerous games - marketing us into obesity and disease.
We have to wake up and notice.
What drives us to eat and which foods do we reach for?
How much of what we eat is pure marketing?
Commercials, advertisements, articles, labels.
Friends, memories, unconscious associations.
Do you eat eggs?
Are they organic?
Free range?
Regular?
Are they egg substitute?
Do you do tofu scramblers?
Do you only eat the whites?
Do you limit the number you eat, and why, if you do? In other words - where did you get the belief, and how is that working for ya?
Post a comment-but add why you've chosen it, and how you came to that conclusion.
Hope you will all play!
Slo-food, raw food, is mindful food, coming back to nature is coming back to our minds.
What field of intent do you hold in your mind when it comes to your food?
What field of intent do you hold when you prepare your food?
What field of intent do you hold when you eat your food?
What is your food field, and is there fear, guilt, anger, pain when you eat?
IF so, in any way, you are eating those emotions. Dangerous games - marketing us into obesity and disease.
We have to wake up and notice.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Eat Beans-Red Beans
Dried beans are better than canned
if you have canned beans, rinse them well
Avoid refried beans
Why beans? They take a long time to digest which means they slow down the release of blood sugar and lower insulin levels.
if you have canned beans, rinse them well
Avoid refried beans
Why beans? They take a long time to digest which means they slow down the release of blood sugar and lower insulin levels.
Master Your Metabolism the no list
Jillian Michaels is a strength coach from 'the biggest loser' on tv. Anyone watch it? I never really watched it until my son's friend became one of the coaches. Speedy Peterson won an Olympic silver this year at the winter Olympics. I must say that now I am a bit hooked on the show. As a former fatty, I was offended by the title-silly me-because I did an inadvertant diservice to those people that are giving it their all.
Here's Jillian Michael's list:
Eliminate
1. hydrogenated fats
2. unrefined grains - avoid corn and wheat
3. corn syrup
4. artificial sweeteners
5. artificial colorings and preservatives
6. glutamates - flavor enhancers
and then there are the 'less than stellar' foods to avoid
1. starchy root vegetables
2. tropical, dried and canned fruits
3. excess soy
4. excess alcohol (ok I admit to a glass of wine on some nights...ok ... ok...)
5. full fat dairy and fatty meats
6. canned foods
7. caffeine - unless organic coffee
what I noticed is that these were almost all things we eliminated on our 30 day/9 month raw adventure! We did eat Yams, cooked, but not daily, and I did still have my half and half in my one cup of coffee and still do.
Wow~we did it ourselves without an expert. But then-we made ourselves the experts. Girls-give yourselves a hand.
Here's Jillian Michael's list:
Eliminate
1. hydrogenated fats
2. unrefined grains - avoid corn and wheat
3. corn syrup
4. artificial sweeteners
5. artificial colorings and preservatives
6. glutamates - flavor enhancers
and then there are the 'less than stellar' foods to avoid
1. starchy root vegetables
2. tropical, dried and canned fruits
3. excess soy
4. excess alcohol (ok I admit to a glass of wine on some nights...ok ... ok...)
5. full fat dairy and fatty meats
6. canned foods
7. caffeine - unless organic coffee
what I noticed is that these were almost all things we eliminated on our 30 day/9 month raw adventure! We did eat Yams, cooked, but not daily, and I did still have my half and half in my one cup of coffee and still do.
Wow~we did it ourselves without an expert. But then-we made ourselves the experts. Girls-give yourselves a hand.
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