Got your attention, didn't I?!
I attended a martini party last weekend, and took with me the following:
1 HUGE pitcher of green smoothie - frozen peaches, banana, kale, 2 tbsp. agave (to make it sweeter for the others) and water.
1 small pitcher of green smoothie - parsley, Vitamineral Green and apples.
Raw chocolate nut clusters - home made
Raw sweet nuts - home made
Two lovely martini glasses.
Well, after arriving with my huge bin of stuff and taking ALL the ribbing for not drinking the martinis, things actually worked out GREAT! I couldn't believe how much people joked with me about being "hard core" with my diet. Why didn't I bring wine, wine's raw (I may have a glass every now and then, but right now, while losing weight etc. I want to abstain). Why don't I just have "one" martini?
Well, as they got tired, and feeling terribly full, I was feeling great. Then, it happened...one person took the chance and tried some of the green smoothie, then another, then another and before I knew it, at 11pm I looked around the room and all 8 had green smoothies in their martini glass except for one! That's pretty good! I know it was late at night, but WOW! I was so happy to see this. Should have taken a photo!!
Not only were they drinking them, but they were enjoying them. I couldn't believe it. They were going back for seconds as well. It was a great night of conversation and because I was prepared (see previous blog post) I was able to stay true to me and help my friends get some quality food into their bellies! :)
Happy Sunday to you all!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Socializing Raw
So, it's that time of year again when we come out of hibernation for about five weeks in the winter! With socializing on an all time high this next while I've been busy in the kitchen preparing some things to help me remain raw while still being able to socialize with my friends!
For example, las Friday night it was off to a MARTINI party! Of all things! I only work part time teaching and never get to socialize with the ladies so I agreed to attend this party but wanted to go prepared. As well I want them to experience some raw goodness while we're there!
So today I was busy in the kitchen making some raw nut/dried fruit clusters. It is completely raw and delicious! I'll post the recipe in the recipe section! I also made some of my sweet nuts as well. These will be nice to nibble on while we drink. But never fear, I will not be partaking in the martinis...instead I will be sipping on my GREEN smoothies that will be prepared just before I go. I am going to take it in a big Mexican pitcher and share with whoever is willing! I'll also serve them in martini glasses just to stay within the theme.
It is good to remember:
"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."
-- Ben Franklin
It is very true in most cases! I love to feel prepared and a little pre planning is all it takes. In order to succeed, we need to take steps that will help us to feel prepared, especially during this holiday season. Who knows, by living our truth we may help someone else find theirs!
For example, las Friday night it was off to a MARTINI party! Of all things! I only work part time teaching and never get to socialize with the ladies so I agreed to attend this party but wanted to go prepared. As well I want them to experience some raw goodness while we're there!
So today I was busy in the kitchen making some raw nut/dried fruit clusters. It is completely raw and delicious! I'll post the recipe in the recipe section! I also made some of my sweet nuts as well. These will be nice to nibble on while we drink. But never fear, I will not be partaking in the martinis...instead I will be sipping on my GREEN smoothies that will be prepared just before I go. I am going to take it in a big Mexican pitcher and share with whoever is willing! I'll also serve them in martini glasses just to stay within the theme.
It is good to remember:
"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."
-- Ben Franklin
It is very true in most cases! I love to feel prepared and a little pre planning is all it takes. In order to succeed, we need to take steps that will help us to feel prepared, especially during this holiday season. Who knows, by living our truth we may help someone else find theirs!
Checking in - Finally!
Alright, it's been many weeks and I've yet to write a blog post. During the original RFR I wrote almost every night - and spent lots of time on the site...being a teacher I had the summer off and the luxury of time. Being back at work it's more about carving the time out to look through the new RFR site and revel in the fact that it is such an amazing place to be!
I have been working on my routines, as they tend to help me stay on track. Here's a look at a typical day so far:
5:15am wake up (make my side of the bed)
5:15 - 5:30 eye massage and palming (Bates Method of natural vision improvement) Conscious breathing technique at this time also.
5:30am - 6am guided meditation
6am -6:30am yoga (video at home)
6:30 - 7am - rebound, dry brushing and shower, get ready for the day.
7am-8am - get family ready for the day, laundry load in washer
First thing in the morning I begin with a lemon water. Usually about a litre of water to a half lemon's worth of juice. If I am hungry then I eat some fruit. If not I wait until I'm hungry to have my fruit. Favourites include apples, pears and bananas at the moment.
On my work days I leave for work at 8:15am I teach at a local middle school. I did a green smoothie demo last Friday and it was a hit. We also have Fruitful Fridays where everyone in the class brings in a piece of fruit and we make a Friendship Fruit Salad to share. They LOVE it!
At work I can sometimes come home for lunch and I will have a green smoothie, or else I bring in some nut butter and some banana or celery to much on at lunch. Usually I'll have more fruit for a snack after school.
On my days off I usually play taxi most the day and do our family's shop for the week on Tuesdays. I also spend a lot of time decluttering - decluttering my body has lead to mass decluttering of my home as well.
Each time I eat a meal I do the palming technique for my eyes again, working on improving my vision without surgery - on my own...but there is a practitioner close by who I may be seeing for her 8 week program as she has great success...just saving up the money for it.
Then evenings consist of tidying the house, dinner is usually a salad, or steamed veg (in the winter months) and possibly a vegan soup...I'd say I'm raw about 95% of the time and if I eat anything cooked it's at dinner but it's not much at all anymore. I just feel better raw!
Something I've done differently this last week and a half is going to bed early so that I can rise early. I used to go to bed at 1am or 2am and get up at 7am. Now I'm going to bed at 10:30pm at the latest and it is amazing the difference it has made for me and how I feel. If you can get yourself to bed early I highly suggest it. I've read that the hours you get before midnight count as double!
I also do conscious breathing before bed, more eye massage and palming my eyes and visualization. I find the breathing techniques especially helpful in falling to sleep quickly!! I've enjoyed reading everyone else's blogs on here and apologize for taking SO long to get in on the action. It's Monday and my work week is over due to the holiday on Wednesday and this Friday being my Friday off so I plan to spend a lot of time in here offering recipes, positive comments and blogging!
Hope you all have an amazing week! I'm getting juicy this week, been missing my juice! How's your week been so far?!
I have been working on my routines, as they tend to help me stay on track. Here's a look at a typical day so far:
5:15am wake up (make my side of the bed)
5:15 - 5:30 eye massage and palming (Bates Method of natural vision improvement) Conscious breathing technique at this time also.
5:30am - 6am guided meditation
6am -6:30am yoga (video at home)
6:30 - 7am - rebound, dry brushing and shower, get ready for the day.
7am-8am - get family ready for the day, laundry load in washer
First thing in the morning I begin with a lemon water. Usually about a litre of water to a half lemon's worth of juice. If I am hungry then I eat some fruit. If not I wait until I'm hungry to have my fruit. Favourites include apples, pears and bananas at the moment.
On my work days I leave for work at 8:15am I teach at a local middle school. I did a green smoothie demo last Friday and it was a hit. We also have Fruitful Fridays where everyone in the class brings in a piece of fruit and we make a Friendship Fruit Salad to share. They LOVE it!
At work I can sometimes come home for lunch and I will have a green smoothie, or else I bring in some nut butter and some banana or celery to much on at lunch. Usually I'll have more fruit for a snack after school.
On my days off I usually play taxi most the day and do our family's shop for the week on Tuesdays. I also spend a lot of time decluttering - decluttering my body has lead to mass decluttering of my home as well.
Each time I eat a meal I do the palming technique for my eyes again, working on improving my vision without surgery - on my own...but there is a practitioner close by who I may be seeing for her 8 week program as she has great success...just saving up the money for it.
Then evenings consist of tidying the house, dinner is usually a salad, or steamed veg (in the winter months) and possibly a vegan soup...I'd say I'm raw about 95% of the time and if I eat anything cooked it's at dinner but it's not much at all anymore. I just feel better raw!
Something I've done differently this last week and a half is going to bed early so that I can rise early. I used to go to bed at 1am or 2am and get up at 7am. Now I'm going to bed at 10:30pm at the latest and it is amazing the difference it has made for me and how I feel. If you can get yourself to bed early I highly suggest it. I've read that the hours you get before midnight count as double!
I also do conscious breathing before bed, more eye massage and palming my eyes and visualization. I find the breathing techniques especially helpful in falling to sleep quickly!! I've enjoyed reading everyone else's blogs on here and apologize for taking SO long to get in on the action. It's Monday and my work week is over due to the holiday on Wednesday and this Friday being my Friday off so I plan to spend a lot of time in here offering recipes, positive comments and blogging!
Hope you all have an amazing week! I'm getting juicy this week, been missing my juice! How's your week been so far?!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Living Simply
When eating simply begins to shape your habits around food, you start to look around you a little more and realize that living life simply is the answer to less stress, more time for quality in our relationships, and that less is more.
Well, I am currently reading, called "Living Simply With Children". A lot of things they suggest, we already do in our family. Family nights, game nights, movie nights, eating dinner together, making time for each other and many more are talked about in this book.
I highly suggest that if you are looking for some great ideas (and resources - suggested throughout the book) then you pick this one up. I know our local library has one but after reading only a couple of chapters I knew that I wanted to have this one to refer to in my home library (nothing grand, just a bookshelf or six throughout the house!).
Check out a sample of the book here.
What can you do to simplify your life today?
Live Well!
Melinda
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Kids and Eating at School
I haven't written here in a long while. I find little time for extra-curricular stuff once the school year (and my part time teacher work) starts up. I have noticed a number of things about kids and their eating habits at school and wanted to talk a little about it here.
Before the bell goes in the morning: I see students in the school, snacking on slurpees, pop, candy and the like that they have purchased at a nearby store. When I comment about it, the usual remark is, "Who Cares, it tastes good." They have also mentioned that they need a sugar kick to be awake enough for class, somewhat like a number of friends and family members who need a caffeine kick first thing.
Recess snack: Gone are the days of a piece of fruit for recess. Now it is packaged goods, in wrappers that are polluting our landfills. I too have fallen prey to this as my daughter gets bugged about carrying around her tupperware during recess time when they are playing outside. So, a couple times a week I will throw in something that may have come in packaging...even though it's against my grain.
Instead of going outside in middle school, the kids sit in the classroom, stand in the hall or talk beside the vending machine. So they are eating junk before school, not so great snacks, and getting little or no exercise. Most are driven to school, and the only exercise they get in a day is their Phys. Ed. class.
At lunch, I have to admit that I'm somewhat impressed with about half of the lunches that the kids come into my classroom with. Most are balanced according to the "Canadian Food Guide", and are mostly "whole foods" but still about half of them are certainly not. Two or three come without lunches because they didn't feel like making one. Another five or six purchase their lunches from the cafeteria on average, and the choices there are not great, but supposedly improved from past years. You'll still see yam fries, slushies, and the like as they make loads of money from these things. Yam fries are better than the other fries they were serving only a few short years ago.
Where my challenge lies, is making lunches for my daughter. Although my family is not totally raw along with me, we do eat fruit for breakfast, and I usually give them vegetarian or vegan options for snack and lunch. It's difficult as in most schools, nut butters are banned. I actually asked her teacher if there were any allergies and if not, could she have nut butter and was told yes. I do use raw almond butter, macadamia nut butter, walnut butter also, as peanut butter is not my favourite to give. I also give her sprouts, avocado, salad, plantain chips, and some other "not so mainstream" items in her lunch. From the first day of school, she has been teased about these items and I'm at a loss as to how to change this without giving in to the "norm" for lunches. I see myself asking if "this item" will cause any ridicule, or if "that item" will cause heads to turn. Even with things I thought would not be a problem she comes home saying that she was teased again today.
I have tried to give her the tools to help, and she's really quite good about it, but I know that it's causing her some distress. I asked her how she thinks we can help the situation, and her ideas are great. First, I come to the class and do a raw food lesson with them and let them try the food. This way they will see that her "weird" food is actually tasty (they are not allowed to share lunches in class time due to allergy concerns, etc.). She also suggested teaching the parents at a parent meeting so they could make these foods for their kids. Another great idea. She also wants to open up the "Lizard Sauerkraut Cafe" in our house. She said that she tries to ignore it, but it doesn't seem to be going away. I spoke to the teacher regarding this, and to keep an eye out, but often the teachers are not in the room when kids are eating. She also said that there is no time for "extra-curricular" stuff like a raw food lesson as there is hardly time for the "core" subjects. So I'm kind of at a stand still with this.
Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Love to hear your take on things like this and if anyone else has experienced the same and what they did.
Thanks!
Before the bell goes in the morning: I see students in the school, snacking on slurpees, pop, candy and the like that they have purchased at a nearby store. When I comment about it, the usual remark is, "Who Cares, it tastes good." They have also mentioned that they need a sugar kick to be awake enough for class, somewhat like a number of friends and family members who need a caffeine kick first thing.
Recess snack: Gone are the days of a piece of fruit for recess. Now it is packaged goods, in wrappers that are polluting our landfills. I too have fallen prey to this as my daughter gets bugged about carrying around her tupperware during recess time when they are playing outside. So, a couple times a week I will throw in something that may have come in packaging...even though it's against my grain.
Instead of going outside in middle school, the kids sit in the classroom, stand in the hall or talk beside the vending machine. So they are eating junk before school, not so great snacks, and getting little or no exercise. Most are driven to school, and the only exercise they get in a day is their Phys. Ed. class.
At lunch, I have to admit that I'm somewhat impressed with about half of the lunches that the kids come into my classroom with. Most are balanced according to the "Canadian Food Guide", and are mostly "whole foods" but still about half of them are certainly not. Two or three come without lunches because they didn't feel like making one. Another five or six purchase their lunches from the cafeteria on average, and the choices there are not great, but supposedly improved from past years. You'll still see yam fries, slushies, and the like as they make loads of money from these things. Yam fries are better than the other fries they were serving only a few short years ago.
Where my challenge lies, is making lunches for my daughter. Although my family is not totally raw along with me, we do eat fruit for breakfast, and I usually give them vegetarian or vegan options for snack and lunch. It's difficult as in most schools, nut butters are banned. I actually asked her teacher if there were any allergies and if not, could she have nut butter and was told yes. I do use raw almond butter, macadamia nut butter, walnut butter also, as peanut butter is not my favourite to give. I also give her sprouts, avocado, salad, plantain chips, and some other "not so mainstream" items in her lunch. From the first day of school, she has been teased about these items and I'm at a loss as to how to change this without giving in to the "norm" for lunches. I see myself asking if "this item" will cause any ridicule, or if "that item" will cause heads to turn. Even with things I thought would not be a problem she comes home saying that she was teased again today.
I have tried to give her the tools to help, and she's really quite good about it, but I know that it's causing her some distress. I asked her how she thinks we can help the situation, and her ideas are great. First, I come to the class and do a raw food lesson with them and let them try the food. This way they will see that her "weird" food is actually tasty (they are not allowed to share lunches in class time due to allergy concerns, etc.). She also suggested teaching the parents at a parent meeting so they could make these foods for their kids. Another great idea. She also wants to open up the "Lizard Sauerkraut Cafe" in our house. She said that she tries to ignore it, but it doesn't seem to be going away. I spoke to the teacher regarding this, and to keep an eye out, but often the teachers are not in the room when kids are eating. She also said that there is no time for "extra-curricular" stuff like a raw food lesson as there is hardly time for the "core" subjects. So I'm kind of at a stand still with this.
Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Love to hear your take on things like this and if anyone else has experienced the same and what they did.
Thanks!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Busy in the Kitchen
So, it's that time of year...in a few months and some of us over at the Raw Food Rehab unit are putting together a little Holiday e-book. I'll let you know when it's available!In the meantime you can drool over a couple of my possible recipe submissions! The first is the Raw Nogg, The next is a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie and the third is a Minty Dark Cocoa.
This weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada and I have so much to be thankful for.
In early September we started "Gratitude and Attitude" journals with our kids. Each evening we ask the kids to tell us three things they are grateful for and one thing that they feel they can do better the next day. Some examples from their books include "Thankful for their family, our house, friends who speak nicely to us, their blankie", etc. I noticed that often they were relating thanks for people and experiences, not so much about material things which I feel is great!
Some things they say they can work on are listening the first time when being asked to do something, sharing better with each other, having a positive attitude when we have to leave an activity, etc.
It really has them thinking, and they are very appreciative children. I've also noticed that they are thankful during the day more as well for things that they would normally take for granted. So, on this Thanksgiving weekend, my suggestion to you is to start a Gratitude and Attitude Journal! It's amazing how much we are blessed with and we need to appreciate what we have NOW, and abundance and happiness will find us!
Three things I'm thankful for:
Normal tests that I had done at the Doctor's Office.
Appreciative friends
Children who make me laugh on a daily basis and make me SO proud with all they accomplish.
One thing I can improve on:
Staying calm, at all times.
How about you? What are you thankful for? What can you improve about your attitude?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Oh My - Onion News Network
Now I know why they call it the Onion News Network, I laughed so hard, I cried!
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Blue Zones
Now here's a video explaining the book I'm about to read, it's called "The Blue Zones". I would like to create a Blue Zone in my home, why don't you?! Tell me what you think. I'll periodically talk here about changes I'm making to my daily rituals, to incorporate some of this information.
Take a listen:
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Holy HOT Batman!
It's smokin' hot here today. I've been sweating like crazy in the house getting things tidied up so we can leave on Sunday for our camping vacation. Another short one but it is in the desert part of British Columbia so it will be even hotter than here on the coast!
We've been eating out of the garden a lot lately, it's so incredible just to pick through and eat tomatoes and greens and carrots that grew right here. We're very proud of our little garden!
Today I ate:
32 oz. lemon water
16 oz. water with Vitamineral Green
32oz. Green juice: chard, celery, cucumber, parsley, collard greens, lemon - every time I drink a green juice, it's like coming home. Since I did the 32 day juice fast two years ago this September I always love drinking them and thinking about that time.
Banana Mash:
1 banana
1 tbsp. dried coconut
1 tbsp. pecan butter
1 tbsp. agave
1 tbsp. raisins
Put in bowl and mash it all together. I ate this for energy for when I went to bootcamp. Ended up resting on the couch with my daughter, lost track of time and did not make it to bootcamp!
Corn Salad on Kale
Chia/buckwheat Pudding:
1 date
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash or so of nutmeg
1 banana
10 hazelnuts
1 cup water
Blend in a blender and pour over 1/3 cup of sprouted buckwheat/chia mix.
YUM!
We've been eating out of the garden a lot lately, it's so incredible just to pick through and eat tomatoes and greens and carrots that grew right here. We're very proud of our little garden!
Today I ate:
32 oz. lemon water
16 oz. water with Vitamineral Green
32oz. Green juice: chard, celery, cucumber, parsley, collard greens, lemon - every time I drink a green juice, it's like coming home. Since I did the 32 day juice fast two years ago this September I always love drinking them and thinking about that time.
Banana Mash:
1 banana
1 tbsp. dried coconut
1 tbsp. pecan butter
1 tbsp. agave
1 tbsp. raisins
Put in bowl and mash it all together. I ate this for energy for when I went to bootcamp. Ended up resting on the couch with my daughter, lost track of time and did not make it to bootcamp!
Corn Salad on Kale
Chia/buckwheat Pudding:
1 date
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash or so of nutmeg
1 banana
10 hazelnuts
1 cup water
Blend in a blender and pour over 1/3 cup of sprouted buckwheat/chia mix.
YUM!
ps. David Wolfe is coming to Vancouver in October for the Body, Soul and Spirit Expo...check out the details here.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Brian Clement Lecture
Impressive of course! LOVED all he had to say and YES, Penni he was in his suit and looked quite dapper indeed. He is a lot funnier than I would have guessed, and had us laughing throughout the lecture. I wore my "mango addict" t-shirts and a number of people loved it. I also had a bag that says "green" in all sorts of languages...had a guy ask me to take my photo as he loved the message on the bag and my shirt and the greens and all that...and I was just waiting in line to get in! Talk about a great start!
I wish I could have eaten, there were all sorts of vendors who were touting their wares and here I am on a water fasting day! Anyhow I ended up purchasing a spiralizer like the one that I saw the Hoppa's using. How much did you all pay for that? Not sure I got a great deal, but it looks so much easier to use than the one that I have currently so we'll give it a try! Even got a free zucchini to go along with it from the supplier's garden! :) She's taken Alyssa Cohen's course and sells these to her clients etc.
Back to the man of the hour - or two hours - Brian Clement.
Let's see if I can summarize some of what he talked about.
Three things you need to do in order to live the life you want:
1. Do what you LOVE.
2. Live with integrity, eat pure, exercise, and connect with the universe and/or God.
3. Contribute - giving is the only way to true happiness...it's what we're here to do.
You have to be happy with yourself first. You have to believe that you deserve health. Disease is a state of mind.
Call your mothers and thank them for everything, mothers are so important...heal that relationship if you do not have a good one at the moment!
Life is a Process, every second you can choose to do something BIG, most of us choose to do nothing or do something small and manageable. Choose BIG! Penni did and now look at us! Ripple effect!
One of the biggest things I took from his lecture tonight is this:
H.O.P.E.
Why eat Raw Food? H.O.P.E.
H = Hormones - messengers, cellular communication found only in raw foods, cooked no longer has them. Hormones balanced means happy person.
O = Oxygen - Food based oxygen, helps raise hemoglobin, regulates metabolism, plays role in nutrient ingestion. He wants to write a book, Eat Oxygen, Get Skinny. Raise your levels of oxygen and you'll lose weight. Get it from raw and living foods. Get it through proper breathing. Get it through exercise! If there is enough oxygen in the body, cancer cannot exist.
P = Phytochemicals - protect body from disease, can destroy disease, some good places to get this are:
Wheatgrass, speltgrass, kamut, barley grass, millet, amaranth, buckwheat, broccoli, garlic, onion sprouts, sprouts of all sorts.
E = Enzymes - allow and enhance body's electric abilities, we're all energy, from the moment of conception (A Life is Born - was a movie he said everyone should watch, shows this electrical start we all came from) to the moment we decompose, we are energy.
Finally he states that with Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and trace minerals, protein, electrical enzymes ingested in a raw and natural form is the best way to live longer, as is eating less...over time, don't rush it. Constant steps forward. Keep learning as changes happen, embrace change and continue on your path.
Take 100% responsibility. Those who come to HHI who heal are people who are willing to do it themselves, not give themselves over to others in order to be healed.
Supplements he suggests for sure are:
B12
Algae - fixes DNA
Enzymes - he takes 20/day!
Some may benefit from:
Pollen
ginsing or gotacola (the second one is a female ginsing? Not sure on the spelling) Also Summa.
Stabilized oxygen
Sodium or sliver nitrate when you are on planes
Rescue Remedy in purse at all times!
Cayenne helps circulation and emulsifies lipids.
If you ever go to Hippocrates, they follow you for LIFE. They always get updates from you and will keep a file on you for years to come. This helps them in their research for long term. It's a great idea as both you and they benefit!
I now want to take not only their three week program, but the three month one! Time to start savin'!
I hope that my notes make some sense to you all! I sure am glad I made the trip out and took the time to go.
I only drank water and lemon water all day today, so nothing to report for eating.
Feeling full of energy! Big, busy day tomorrow! Night all! Oh, I'll post a photo as well!
I wish I could have eaten, there were all sorts of vendors who were touting their wares and here I am on a water fasting day! Anyhow I ended up purchasing a spiralizer like the one that I saw the Hoppa's using. How much did you all pay for that? Not sure I got a great deal, but it looks so much easier to use than the one that I have currently so we'll give it a try! Even got a free zucchini to go along with it from the supplier's garden! :) She's taken Alyssa Cohen's course and sells these to her clients etc.
Back to the man of the hour - or two hours - Brian Clement.
Let's see if I can summarize some of what he talked about.
Three things you need to do in order to live the life you want:
1. Do what you LOVE.
2. Live with integrity, eat pure, exercise, and connect with the universe and/or God.
3. Contribute - giving is the only way to true happiness...it's what we're here to do.
You have to be happy with yourself first. You have to believe that you deserve health. Disease is a state of mind.
Call your mothers and thank them for everything, mothers are so important...heal that relationship if you do not have a good one at the moment!
Life is a Process, every second you can choose to do something BIG, most of us choose to do nothing or do something small and manageable. Choose BIG! Penni did and now look at us! Ripple effect!
One of the biggest things I took from his lecture tonight is this:
H.O.P.E.
Why eat Raw Food? H.O.P.E.
H = Hormones - messengers, cellular communication found only in raw foods, cooked no longer has them. Hormones balanced means happy person.
O = Oxygen - Food based oxygen, helps raise hemoglobin, regulates metabolism, plays role in nutrient ingestion. He wants to write a book, Eat Oxygen, Get Skinny. Raise your levels of oxygen and you'll lose weight. Get it from raw and living foods. Get it through proper breathing. Get it through exercise! If there is enough oxygen in the body, cancer cannot exist.
P = Phytochemicals - protect body from disease, can destroy disease, some good places to get this are:
Wheatgrass, speltgrass, kamut, barley grass, millet, amaranth, buckwheat, broccoli, garlic, onion sprouts, sprouts of all sorts.
E = Enzymes - allow and enhance body's electric abilities, we're all energy, from the moment of conception (A Life is Born - was a movie he said everyone should watch, shows this electrical start we all came from) to the moment we decompose, we are energy.
Finally he states that with Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and trace minerals, protein, electrical enzymes ingested in a raw and natural form is the best way to live longer, as is eating less...over time, don't rush it. Constant steps forward. Keep learning as changes happen, embrace change and continue on your path.
Take 100% responsibility. Those who come to HHI who heal are people who are willing to do it themselves, not give themselves over to others in order to be healed.
Supplements he suggests for sure are:
B12
Algae - fixes DNA
Enzymes - he takes 20/day!
Some may benefit from:
Pollen
ginsing or gotacola (the second one is a female ginsing? Not sure on the spelling) Also Summa.
Stabilized oxygen
Sodium or sliver nitrate when you are on planes
Rescue Remedy in purse at all times!
Cayenne helps circulation and emulsifies lipids.
If you ever go to Hippocrates, they follow you for LIFE. They always get updates from you and will keep a file on you for years to come. This helps them in their research for long term. It's a great idea as both you and they benefit!
I now want to take not only their three week program, but the three month one! Time to start savin'!
I hope that my notes make some sense to you all! I sure am glad I made the trip out and took the time to go.
I only drank water and lemon water all day today, so nothing to report for eating.
Feeling full of energy! Big, busy day tomorrow! Night all! Oh, I'll post a photo as well!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Been a While!
Well, back from camping and leaving again soon for another camping trip but had to catch you up to speed on my trip to Victoria! It was great, family time and blissful eating time at the raw food cafe called Cafe Bliss. If you want to see there website, click here.
I feasted for four days! It was purely amazing food and the people were great.
Here's what I wrote for the RFR group:
I have not been able to blog for a while here! I have missed it! When I was camping the internet became sketchy and I figured it was the universe telling me to enjoy the moment and do the computer stuff when I got home.
I ate raw gourmet while I was away. I did smoothies and juices for the first four days of the week last week. I blended all my food for the trip over on the ferry and the drive. It was perfect. I had all my jars ready to go. Smoothie for breakfast, smoothie for lunch, smoothie for dinner - which was good because we missed the open hours for the raw food cafe!
Then on Friday I had berries for breakfast, and a smoothie for brunch! We went to Cafe Bliss (http://www.cafebliss.ca/) for lunch. I had this for lunch:
Creamy Green Smoothie:
pear, apple, orange, almond ylk, hemp hearts, Vitamineral Green, Bee pollen tocotrienols, maca, lucuma and vanilla
I LOVED IT! I'll have to play with it and make my own, it was a great start to the meal while I waited for my salad and cracker plate.
Summer Salad:
Made with locally sourced, fresh ingredients that are in season. There was lettuce, sunflower sprouts, blueberries, and a few other things I can't remember five days later. It had a lemon tahini dressing.
Baja cracker plate:
Yam crackers served with guacamole, cashew-macademia sour cream, and fresh cut salsa.
I had this cracker plate each day it was SO good! LOVE it!
Had a lemon bar for dessert. More food in one sitting than I've eaten this whole 10 weeks! :)
So the whole time I'm sitting there with my mom for lunch, there is this guy who I kept making eye contact with. I thought he seemed familiar and he and I had some talk at the "raw stuff" area where they sold items like kelp noodles (got some) clear agave (got some) and jungle peanuts (got me some of those too!) along with lots of other great items. Afterwards when my husband and dad and kids came by, they got talking to this guy and his friends - our sons made fast friends on the side walk outside. James introduced me to all of them - visiting from the States he said. He also mentioned that this guy Bruce does classes and travels talking about raw foods. I said Bruce Horowitz? He laughed and said "Ya". His friends were impressed I knew who he was. When I wanted to get a photo with him they all laughed and told him he was a celebrity now! :) I'll post that photo later for sure!
I then ordered these things to go, for later at the campsite:
Hawaiian Pizza - buckwheat crust...like no other Hawaiian pizza I've ever had!
The Baja cracker plate which I shared with the family.
Lemon Square
For my snack (like I needed one!!) I had a Mylk Shake, orange creamsicle
I felt light, great and NOT like I'd eaten that much in one day, for sure! Good thing I'd done smoothies during the first part of the week for this feasting! Food Feasting I'll call it!
We walked a LOT that day which also helped burn off any extra food intake. We saw the Miniature World, Undersea Gardens and I even bumped into an old College friend - and didn't feel embarrassed to see him as I am no longer overweight. In fact I hope he tells his brother that I look great, the last time I saw his brother he tried to pretend he didn't know me and then asked if I was pregnant! (I did have a five month old at home, but it still hurt!)
Saturday August 8th:
Fruit bowl for breakfast.
Another feast at the raw food cafe, after walking downtown Victoria for a while. We saw an amazing castle, and can't believe that people used to live like that. I also can't believe how well made everything was...we are all about quantity these days and not quality!
My daughter chose to eat with me today instead of getting Mexican food with her daddy and brother. She said she would rather eat the raw food for lunch.
I must continue this later as I have to take the kids to swimming lessons! Back soon!
OK, back at it here. I have some photos to upload as well before bed tonight. Burning the midnight coconut oil!
Just finished the questionnaire as well so will post that separately.
Now, where was I? Ah yes, lunch on Saturday at Cafe Bliss:
Baja cracker plate
Bliss Salad
Creamy green smoothie
My daughter had the Kids' plate:
You get choices of crackers with any three of these carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, almonds and raisis, olives, apple or orange slices, berries. She chose the yam crackers, with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Sprouts came on the side and she loved that too! Go girl!
One sad note here...I was chewing on pitted olives when I crunched down on something hard - half of my tooth cracked off. I mean it, a whole half a tooth. It's a tooth that was on it's way out, and I've been putting off the dentist but holy crap, I could not believe I didn't feel a thing. This tooth would have probably been gone long ago but I really do believe that raw foods have helped me keep it just that much longer. No infections either. Probiotics and salt water rinses have helped to keep that away too. Luckily.
Took for dinner:
Baja Cracker plate
Bliss Pizza
Goji Creamsicle: almond mylk, pear orange, goji berries and vanilla.
Also had fruit salad...after all that and had an attack of the gassey in the evening. It was terrible. I NEVER eat fruit after a meal anymore...and will continue that after this episode. I did not like having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom in the dark!
Sunday, August 9th:
Checked out some outdoor stores in the morning. Mountain Equipment Coop is across the street from Bliss...so you guessed it, another day of great prepared food!
Got a green lemonade - cucumber apple lemon and kale to start
Creamy Green smoothie for the road.
Baja cracker plate for lunch
Had dinner at home, just a blender drink. Seemed to pale in comparison!
Monday August 10th -
Lemon water in a.m. - 2 cups
smoothie - blueberries, banana, greens - 5 cups worth but drank 1 cup for breakfast, 2 cups for lunch and another 2 cups for a snack...we were out all day long.
Dinner - nut butter - pecan and some honey with hemp seeds and flax.
Tuesday August 11th -
lemon water in a.m. - 2 cups
2 cups water with 1 tbsp. Vitamineral Green
1/2 pound of cherries.
1 litre of water.
2 tbsp. pecan butter.
Feeling a little bloated today. Will be eating very lightly the next few days...juicing and blending and lemon water and vitamineral green and some chlorophyll in the water. Somewhat nervous about a tooth being pulled...my root is being reabsorbed by my body...said he'd never seen anything like it and wondered why I didn't experience any pain. When I went in he noticed that it was more involved than he thought and now I have to have half a tooth for another month - he leaves on holiday tomorrow!! All well, he says that no pain, no infection, means it will be ok and just to keep it clean. I certainly will!
An interesting day to say the least! Now I'm off to add photos of our trip and Cafe Bliss!
I ate raw gourmet while I was away. I did smoothies and juices for the first four days of the week last week. I blended all my food for the trip over on the ferry and the drive. It was perfect. I had all my jars ready to go. Smoothie for breakfast, smoothie for lunch, smoothie for dinner - which was good because we missed the open hours for the raw food cafe!
Then on Friday I had berries for breakfast, and a smoothie for brunch! We went to Cafe Bliss (http://www.cafebliss.ca/) for lunch. I had this for lunch:
Creamy Green Smoothie:
pear, apple, orange, almond ylk, hemp hearts, Vitamineral Green, Bee pollen tocotrienols, maca, lucuma and vanilla
I LOVED IT! I'll have to play with it and make my own, it was a great start to the meal while I waited for my salad and cracker plate.
Summer Salad:
Made with locally sourced, fresh ingredients that are in season. There was lettuce, sunflower sprouts, blueberries, and a few other things I can't remember five days later. It had a lemon tahini dressing.
Baja cracker plate:
Yam crackers served with guacamole, cashew-macademia sour cream, and fresh cut salsa.
I had this cracker plate each day it was SO good! LOVE it!
Had a lemon bar for dessert. More food in one sitting than I've eaten this whole 10 weeks! :)
So the whole time I'm sitting there with my mom for lunch, there is this guy who I kept making eye contact with. I thought he seemed familiar and he and I had some talk at the "raw stuff" area where they sold items like kelp noodles (got some) clear agave (got some) and jungle peanuts (got me some of those too!) along with lots of other great items. Afterwards when my husband and dad and kids came by, they got talking to this guy and his friends - our sons made fast friends on the side walk outside. James introduced me to all of them - visiting from the States he said. He also mentioned that this guy Bruce does classes and travels talking about raw foods. I said Bruce Horowitz? He laughed and said "Ya". His friends were impressed I knew who he was. When I wanted to get a photo with him they all laughed and told him he was a celebrity now! :) I'll post that photo later for sure!
I then ordered these things to go, for later at the campsite:
Hawaiian Pizza - buckwheat crust...like no other Hawaiian pizza I've ever had!
The Baja cracker plate which I shared with the family.
Lemon Square
For my snack (like I needed one!!) I had a Mylk Shake, orange creamsicle
I felt light, great and NOT like I'd eaten that much in one day, for sure! Good thing I'd done smoothies during the first part of the week for this feasting! Food Feasting I'll call it!
We walked a LOT that day which also helped burn off any extra food intake. We saw the Miniature World, Undersea Gardens and I even bumped into an old College friend - and didn't feel embarrassed to see him as I am no longer overweight. In fact I hope he tells his brother that I look great, the last time I saw his brother he tried to pretend he didn't know me and then asked if I was pregnant! (I did have a five month old at home, but it still hurt!)
Saturday August 8th:
Fruit bowl for breakfast.
Another feast at the raw food cafe, after walking downtown Victoria for a while. We saw an amazing castle, and can't believe that people used to live like that. I also can't believe how well made everything was...we are all about quantity these days and not quality!
My daughter chose to eat with me today instead of getting Mexican food with her daddy and brother. She said she would rather eat the raw food for lunch.
I must continue this later as I have to take the kids to swimming lessons! Back soon!
OK, back at it here. I have some photos to upload as well before bed tonight. Burning the midnight coconut oil!
Just finished the questionnaire as well so will post that separately.
Now, where was I? Ah yes, lunch on Saturday at Cafe Bliss:
Baja cracker plate
Bliss Salad
Creamy green smoothie
My daughter had the Kids' plate:
You get choices of crackers with any three of these carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, almonds and raisis, olives, apple or orange slices, berries. She chose the yam crackers, with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Sprouts came on the side and she loved that too! Go girl!
One sad note here...I was chewing on pitted olives when I crunched down on something hard - half of my tooth cracked off. I mean it, a whole half a tooth. It's a tooth that was on it's way out, and I've been putting off the dentist but holy crap, I could not believe I didn't feel a thing. This tooth would have probably been gone long ago but I really do believe that raw foods have helped me keep it just that much longer. No infections either. Probiotics and salt water rinses have helped to keep that away too. Luckily.
Took for dinner:
Baja Cracker plate
Bliss Pizza
Goji Creamsicle: almond mylk, pear orange, goji berries and vanilla.
Also had fruit salad...after all that and had an attack of the gassey in the evening. It was terrible. I NEVER eat fruit after a meal anymore...and will continue that after this episode. I did not like having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom in the dark!
Sunday, August 9th:
Checked out some outdoor stores in the morning. Mountain Equipment Coop is across the street from Bliss...so you guessed it, another day of great prepared food!
Got a green lemonade - cucumber apple lemon and kale to start
Creamy Green smoothie for the road.
Baja cracker plate for lunch
Had dinner at home, just a blender drink. Seemed to pale in comparison!
Monday August 10th -
Lemon water in a.m. - 2 cups
smoothie - blueberries, banana, greens - 5 cups worth but drank 1 cup for breakfast, 2 cups for lunch and another 2 cups for a snack...we were out all day long.
Dinner - nut butter - pecan and some honey with hemp seeds and flax.
Tuesday August 11th -
lemon water in a.m. - 2 cups
2 cups water with 1 tbsp. Vitamineral Green
1/2 pound of cherries.
1 litre of water.
2 tbsp. pecan butter.
Feeling a little bloated today. Will be eating very lightly the next few days...juicing and blending and lemon water and vitamineral green and some chlorophyll in the water. Somewhat nervous about a tooth being pulled...my root is being reabsorbed by my body...said he'd never seen anything like it and wondered why I didn't experience any pain. When I went in he noticed that it was more involved than he thought and now I have to have half a tooth for another month - he leaves on holiday tomorrow!! All well, he says that no pain, no infection, means it will be ok and just to keep it clean. I certainly will!
An interesting day to say the least! Now I'm off to add photos of our trip and Cafe Bliss!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day Two Smoothies and Juices
Forgot to publish this last night...
16 oz. lemon water
Rebounder for a little bit - finding my knee hurts a little when I rebound every day...anyone else have that issue? Suggestions to help it? I rebound barefoot, so possibly I need shoes on? I thought rebounders were supposed to be better on the knees than running, and I run without a problem?!
Brunch:
Frozen banana and cherry smoothie - it was more like ice cream it was so thick!
Dinner: Pumpkin Pie Soup. Delicious! Half the recipe made about 4 cups of soup.
Bootcamp for one hour, it was a great workout this evening.
Drank about 2 litres so far today but will be drinking some tea and water this evening as well.
There are some detox type things happening for me. The pasty tongue is there, bad breath in the morning (could also be the garlic from last night's soup!) no body odor, a little moody, but not hungry much and eating only when I am hungry.
Better energy though, we'll have to see about the weight loss, I'm up a couple pounds today?! Seems weird as I'm eating less and much better! I'll give it some time to settle as I'd had too many raw macaroons this weekend!
Enjoy the night!
Off on an Adventure!
Hey all,
I'm off tomorrow, bright and early to catch a ferry to Vancouver Island. Camping with the family! There's also a raw food retreat up in Courntney further up the island. It's being sponsered by Raw BC, and the Raw Family, the Boutenkos are the ones putting on the event. I hear that Ann Marie Gianni is also up there! So close but yet so far away! (3 hour drive...that's after the six hours it takes to get to the island!)
So I'm going to rev my engine - my Vitamix engine early tomorrow to make up some smoothies and such so that I am taken care of on the road. I also have lots of fruit to nibble on as well. I have a few nut bars etc, (not including family) and some other staples - greens in the cooler, nut butters, and no nuts and seeds...why you may ask? I will eat way too much fat if I take nuts and seeds!
I have also researched around and found a few raw option cafe's and juice bars as well as Cafe Bliss which is an all raw affair! Can't wait to try them all out. I will take my camera/video camera with me and give you updates when I return.
Here's what I put in my tummy today:
2.5 litres water.
Raw Instant Breakfast:
Coconut water and meat
1 tbsp. chia seed
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1 heaping tsp. cacao
ice
Very filling. More like a brunch! Made about 3 cups.
Lunch:
Smoothie:
1 banana
2 peaches
3+ cups of spinach
Delicious! (made 5 cups) Shared with my mother in love, one cup. She enjoyed it.
Snack - Pumpkin Pie Soup, made fresh, but it's the
same as yesterday, used the rest of the yam. Made about 4 cups. Shared half a cup with my mother in love. She liked it a lot! I ate it again before I could take a photo. It is such a brilliant orange. I'm going to start turning orange if I consume this daily!
Dinner:
Smoothie:
1 lb. strawberries
4 brazil nuts
1 tbsp. hemp
1 date
1.5 cups water
Delicious, really thick! Milkshake consistency. Would have liked it colder, but it was awesome. I like to use brazil nuts every once in a while to increase selenium! Make sure you don't overdo brazil nuts, too much of a good thing is not always better!
My activity here will be lessened while camping but will be back in full force Sunday night!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Cooling Off
We were in the high 20's today...that's about 82 degrees for you guys south of the border. Much more agreeable for everyone!
Today I had a bowl of strawberries and blueberries for breakfast.
Cherry "Rawcia" for lunch
Hulk sauce for snack
BIG bowl of melon for dinner - watermelon, cantaloup, and honeydew. Followed by a spicy thai salad...all of it was raw except for a few corn kernels that may have gone into my mouth. I tried to dodge them as the dressing was raw!
Snacked on some pineapple later in the evening. Ate late tonight...9pm stopped.
1 glass of white wine.
Hey, I've been meaning to ask all along, if there is anyone on Facebook? I've got Penni on mine but wondered if anyone else wanted an add? I'm at Melinda Howlett Gill. I'm also on Twitter: @thriveonlive feel free to add me! You're all so supportive and great friends in and around here!
Socializing, got a little razzed about how I'm eating at one party, at the other party, a nutritionist wants to connect with me regarding her research into raw foods. Very cool!
How are everyone's sleep patterns? I find I am just not tired at night. I'm wanting to get more into waking early and doing my work then while everyone sleeps. I find I'm more of a night owl and need to switch my timing. I have to make a conscious decision to go to bed each night. I'd like to be tired so maybe if I start getting up at 5am my body will tell me to get to sleep at 10pm. I find 7 to 8 hours is optimal but can work just fine on 5 or 6 without a problem. I just want to give my body what it needs. You?
Today I had a bowl of strawberries and blueberries for breakfast.
Cherry "Rawcia" for lunch
Hulk sauce for snack
BIG bowl of melon for dinner - watermelon, cantaloup, and honeydew. Followed by a spicy thai salad...all of it was raw except for a few corn kernels that may have gone into my mouth. I tried to dodge them as the dressing was raw!
Snacked on some pineapple later in the evening. Ate late tonight...9pm stopped.
1 glass of white wine.
Hey, I've been meaning to ask all along, if there is anyone on Facebook? I've got Penni on mine but wondered if anyone else wanted an add? I'm at Melinda Howlett Gill. I'm also on Twitter: @thriveonlive feel free to add me! You're all so supportive and great friends in and around here!
Socializing, got a little razzed about how I'm eating at one party, at the other party, a nutritionist wants to connect with me regarding her research into raw foods. Very cool!
How are everyone's sleep patterns? I find I am just not tired at night. I'm wanting to get more into waking early and doing my work then while everyone sleeps. I find I'm more of a night owl and need to switch my timing. I have to make a conscious decision to go to bed each night. I'd like to be tired so maybe if I start getting up at 5am my body will tell me to get to sleep at 10pm. I find 7 to 8 hours is optimal but can work just fine on 5 or 6 without a problem. I just want to give my body what it needs. You?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sweatin' it out!
Well, without moving I've landed in Greece, Hawaii or Mexico, Turkey, Southern France, you name it if it's SUPER HOT, that's where I'm living right now.
Read something last night in my in box that said:
"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day." -Henri Nouwen
I noticed that this last week I've not been "feeling the joy" in my heart. I feel like I'm going through the motions and know that deep stuff is coming up and through me because I'm no longer using food to stuff it back down again. Fears, angers, disappointments, guilt, you name it, I've experienced it this week. Instead of choosing joy each day I chose to wallow in these negative feelings. Well, after receiving this message in my in box, I CHOSE JOY today and what a different day I had. I had much more patience. Instead of getting upset at little things, I chose to laugh at them and deal with them. Things happen, either we can choose to despair, or choose joy. Things will still happen, but our reaction to these things can be dramatically different. It's a lot more fun to laugh than to get upset.
CHOOSE JOY!
Today I ate:
1/2 apple
1/2 pint raspberries
2 litres of water - need more in this heat!
Smoothie:
1 tbsp. vitamineral green
1 banana
1 date
1/2 apple
1/2 cup cherries
Deep, dark green yum!
Smoothie:
1 banana
1 date
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tbsp. almonds
1 tbsp. hemp seed
2 cups water (this is half the recipe, the other half my sister and son drank!)
I also added 1 tbsp. vitamineral green and 1 scoop of sproutein to mine - will post photo of me drinking this!
Dinner:
Salad - yellow pepper
avocado
mixed greens
dill
cilantro
carrots
cucumber
with Vega oil dressing recipe Dessert:
1 banana
1 tbsp. shredded coconut
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. raisins
1 tbsp. almond butter
I ate too much today again. Trying to figure out why I want to keep eating. Sometimes I have cravings, other times it's no trouble. I'm trying to track it down, but believe it has to do with my cycle. I'm mid cycle right now and find my cravings and over eating happen more mid cycle and just before menstration...anyone else experience this type of thing?
Well, it's 30 degrees Celcius in the house right now, that's 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It's 10:30 in the evening! Windows are wide open throughout the house and there is no air movement.
Did 5 min. on the rebounder this morning but felt it was too hot to do any outdoor exercise today...no wait, did about 25 min. walking with helping daughter on two wheeled bike and walking to the river to go for a dip! So did get some minor exercise today. Bootcamp on Thursday night. Yoga tomorrow morning!
Night all!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hot enough for ya?
Wow, we've got one heck of a heat wave hitting the West Coast of B.C. right now! We were up around 35 degrees Celcius which is about 95 degrees Fahrenheit! That's pretty hot for around here. Tomorrow's supposed to be even hotter!
Drank 2 litres of water today, could have used more in this heat!
Not hungry in the a.m.
Did a 20 min. walk
Had some raspberries and a banana for lunch
Snacked on strawberries, blueberries and a nectarine
Dinner: Huge salad with raspberries, apple and the Vega oil dressing recipe.
Dessert: one small live bar with "icing" - 1 tsp. honey mixed with 1 tsp. coconut butter.
Did errands and drove kids to bike camp this afternoon. My daughter is now much more confident on two wheels - she knows how to stop and start better. The pedaling was already pretty much there. She is so excited. Cleaned up the deck outside some more.
My Zen Zone is almost complete!
Took my daughter to a friends' place to have her hair cut. She's donating it to a local company that makes wigs for kids who have lost their hair due to alopecia, traditional cancer treatments, etc. She's been growing it for over a year and a half and was very excited to get this done today.
My daughter's new "do" is quite cute. There were 9 inches taken off so she's left with a cute little bob.
SO hot, and I'm really not hungry in the heat. Hotter tomorrow, supposed to hit 100 degrees F. I'm off to the sauna, oops I mean bed. I just love to sweat out those toxins as I sleep!!! :) Night all!
Hot and Humid
I remember a blog post here not so long ago when I said that the heat no longer bothered me since I've been raw. I take it back! I was irritable today, for seemingly no reason except the fact that it was 30 degrees Celcius (hot for around here) and the current humidity is 83% - that's unheard of around here! I can't sleep so figured I'd get a post in for today.
We started our day off at the market. The fruit and veggies were out in force, as were the wasps! Luckily we dodged them while getting our raspberries and some greens!
We polished off the first pint of raspberries on the way home! I had a bowl of blueberries just before we left to go to the market.
Here's all I ate today:
Bowl of blueberries
3/4 pint of raspberries
1/2 cup of chocolate almond shake: banana cacao almond milk
Small bowl of yum: 1 banana cut up into "banana coins" (my kids' term for sliced banana)
1 tbsp. almond butter
1 tsp. shredded coconut
1 tbsp. raisins
Swirl together and enjoy.
Huge Salad. I eat from a salad bowl the size of one you'd bring to a potluck.
Mixed greens with some herbs 1 tomato grated carrot (1/4 cup about)
1 tbsp. cashews
Balsamic/olive oil dressing
Raw Ice Cream:
1 cup soaked cashews
1 cup coconut meat
1 cup coconut water (used most of it)
2 tbsp. vanilla - found this a bit much...
1/2 tsp. sea salt
I think that was all. Blend and then put in ice cream maker. It's so hot here though it was more like soft serve ice cream. My hand crank ice cream maker could not compete!
Not enough water today. Need more water! Had about 1.5 litres but probably sweat out about 2.
Worked on my "Zen Zone" in the back yard. I'm recreating the Tree fort deck, it's an area where all the kids' toys used to live all over the place. Now we have three deck boxes that they fit nicely into since I decluttered a heck of a lot of the toys. Freecycled most and others will go to charity. Have you checked out Freecycle.org?
It's going to have a nice covered fire pit that I can move so I can also do yoga out there as well. So excited to get that finished soon!
Other than being hot and cranky today it was overall a great day. Lots accomplished and good food going in! Time to try and sleep - maybe my Zen Zone will be a good place to sleep this week, there's no end in sight to the heat wave we're having!
Cheers!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
My Daughter on RFR!
I hope Penni doesn't mind, but I had to copy this into my blog to show you all what it said! Proud mamma talking here!
Talk about a Day Maker! Here is Melinda Gill's radiant daughter as she creates her first salad...how could I not feature this as the Photo of the Day?! Be in awareness of the impact that your choices have on those around you.
Talk about a Day Maker! Here is Melinda Gill's radiant daughter as she creates her first salad...how could I not feature this as the Photo of the Day?! Be in awareness of the impact that your choices have on those around you.
Made My Day
How exciting to see my daughter's precious smile on the main page of RFR today! She was amazed and felt so proud to be on the website. She's heard me talking so much about this site, and seen me on it from time to time during the last two months, so she knew how special it was to be a part of it! Thanks Penni!
Today was another field trip to Fort Langley, B.C. We visited the B.C. Farm and Agriculture museum. It was incredible how many artifacts they had there. They need about three times the space to give their items justice! It really hit me how much people really knew about their food back in those days, when they grew a lot of their own food, made much of their food from scratch and knew exactly what was in the food they were eating, so unlike our lives of today.
Children would not have time to be bored, or need stuff to fill the void/extra time...they had not extra time. They were busy in their studies, helping out around the house, learning how to farm, keep house, and fix things. If they were lucky their family owned some type of instrument and they would learn about music. Family was the most important thing, and everyone pitched in because if they didn't they would not eat or have a properly running home. Makes me think of Little House on the Prairie, which my husband is currently reading to our kids. Life was simple - or at least seemed a lot simpler back then. Simpler in ways but harder in others.
I find often I yearn for simpler times. Simplifying life. I just took a book off my shelf, and will have to dust it off...it is brand new and I've only read a chapter or two but it's all about living simply with kids. Some important messages for us there. My kids would give up all their worldly belongings for more time with mom and dad. So often children are given stuff to occupy them when in reality all they really needed was US!
On this sunny day we also had our last ride on the Albion Ferry, a ferry that runs across the Fraser River. It's free to ride, but now that a big, swanky new bridge has been built 20 min. up river, they are forever closing this ferry. I actually cried when we drove off for the last time. I didn't use it all that often, but again, it's the end of an era for that little ferry and 60 people will lose jobs because of this closure.
The beautiful sunshine gave way to dark ominous clouds and then the skies opened up to all of our senses! Rain, wet on our skin, the electricity could be felt on the hairs of our arms, the claps of thunder had the bravest of souls running for cover and the shocking white/blues and purples of the sheet, chain and fork lightening burned in our retinas! It was a most incredible thunder and lightening storm. The kids loved it, as did I. I actually get giddy when storms come this way as they are not a common event here. The rain was coming down SO hard!
A haiku to mark the event:
Blinding light flashes
Tearing thunder rumbles on
Wounded sky opens
Here's what I ate today:
1 banana with 1tbsp. almond butter and 1 tsp. shredded coconut
1 litre of water
1 small bowl of cherries
1 live bar (size of half my thumb) with "icing" (1 tsp. coconut butter, 1 tsp. honey)
1 Kelp dish - boo hoo, kelp's all gone now, must buy more!
Lots of carrots, celery, orange pepper, cucumber, and such at my mom's place.
Raw ice cream:
Small bowl of strawberry, small bowl of maple walnut
So, as the rain softly taps down on the rooftops nearby I sign off to spend some time with my man who's feeling a wee bit neglected. How are all of your significant others dealing with time you spend on the computer learning new things about raw foods? I didn't think anything of it until he said yesterday - seems like you have more fun on that computer than you do sitting with me these days. Ouch. Just a gentle reminder to give those you love a hug today and let them know how important they are to you!
Cheers and Green Smoothies to you all!
Melinda
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